| Not many people have heard the name and many | | | | 2. Interferon beta-1a (Avonex): As a part of this |
| more are unfamiliar with the symptoms of Multiple | | | | Multiple sclerosis treatment, Interferon is injected |
| sclerosis (MS), which is a chronic and progressive | | | | once every week right into the muscles inside the |
| illness affecting the central nervous system, spinal | | | | body. It strengthens the immune system and |
| chord and the brain. Hence there is always the | | | | reduces the activity of disease causing white blood |
| concern and confusion regarding Multiple sclerosis | | | | cells. |
| treatment. But before looking at the treatment, let | | | | 3. Frequency Interferon beta-1a (Rebif): This drug is |
| us understand what MS really is. | | | | injected thrice a week right under the skin. It helps |
| Multiple sclerosis or MS is a disease where the | | | | the immune system to fight diseases and helps in |
| immune system of the body targets itself and starts | | | | decreasing formation of new lesions and even |
| attacking the tissues, cells, and other vital organs. | | | | minimizes the rate of relapse. |
| The symptoms and the progressive nature of illness | | | | 4. Glatiramer (Copaxone): This drug therapy is a part |
| can vary from one person to another but the Multiple | | | | of relapsing Multiple sclerosis treatment and daily |
| sclerosis treatment is dependent on three specific | | | | injections are required. Although the exact detailed |
| forms of this disease. The 3 forms include primary | | | | working of the drug therapy has not been |
| progressive MS, relapsing-remitting MS and secondary | | | | completely determined but the overview is that it |
| progressive MS. | | | | helps in modifying the existing immune process that |
| There are more than 400,000 people affected with | | | | has led to Multiple sclerosis. |
| MS and undergoing various types of Multiple sclerosis | | | | 5. Interferon beta (Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron): |
| treatment in the United States and the number | | | | This drug therapy is a part of secondary progressive |
| worldwide is expected to be around 2.5 million. It is | | | | Multiple sclerosis treatment and works the same way |
| 2-3 times more predominant in women as compared | | | | as Interferon beta-1a or 1b. |
| to men. There are 7 different types of drug | | | | 6. Mitoxantrone (Novantrone): Mitoxantrone drug |
| therapies that assist in Multiple sclerosis treatment | | | | therapy hampers the growth of certain cells within |
| and focus mostly on delaying the progressive nature | | | | the immune system, which are responsible for |
| of the disease and to minimize its severity. | | | | destroying myelin within the central nervous system. |
| Multiple sclerosis treatment for patients suffering | | | | 7. Corticosteroids (methylprednisolone, prednisone, |
| from any of 3 forms of MS is as follows: | | | | dexamethasone): This drug therapy is initiated in |
| 1. Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron): The drug is | | | | cases of acute relapse. Corticosteroid decreases the |
| normally injected under the skin every alternate day. | | | | intensity the reaction of the immune system to |
| The drug consists of Interferon, which is one of the | | | | myelin. |
| substances produced within the body for regulating | | | | These are the seven most common drug therapies |
| the immune system. Interferon decreases the rate | | | | that effectively constitute Multiple sclerosis |
| of a relapse. | | | | treatment. |