promising. They are getting closing to better understand the disease and thus design a cure. There are six drugs approved for the treatment of the relapsing-remitting forms of MS. Avonex®, Betaseron®, Copaxone®, Rebif® and Tysabri® are considered disease-modulating drugs. They help control the symptoms and some of them have recently shown certain positive effect that results in a slow repair of the affected nerve. The one to use depends on your doctor's decision on what could work better for you. Avonex® (interferon beta 1-a) manufactured by Biogen Idec, is administer by intramuscular injection once a week. It has shown to reduce the severity and frequency of MS attacks and reduce the lesions (active or new) in the brain. Betaseron® (interferon beta 1-b) manufactured by Berlex Laboratories, Inc., Extavia® (Interferón beta 1-b) manufactured by Novartis, Incis administer by subcutaneous (underneath the skin) injection every other day. It has shown to reduce the severity and frequency of MS attacks and reduce the lesions (active or new) in the brain. Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate) manufactured by TEVA Neuroscience, Inc., is administer every day by subcutaneous injection. It has shown to reduce the frequency of MS attacks and reduce the lesions (active or new) in the brain. Rebif® (interferon beta 1-a) manufactured by Serono, Inc., is administer three times a week by subcutaneous injection. It has shown to reduce the frequency of MS attacks and reduce the lesions (active or new) in the brain and may slow progression of disability. Tysabri® (natalizumab) manufactured by Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals, by iv infusion every four weeks. Tysabri is generally recommended for patients who have had inadequate response to, or are unable to tolerate, other approved MS therapies. It is approved as a monotherapy, not to be combined with other immune system-modifying agents, and is not recommended for individuals who have weakened immune systems. It was first withdrawn after three patients developed a serious viral infection of the brain. It is approved to be use with a special restricted distribution program See questions and answers on Tysabri from NMSS website: http://www.nationalmssociety.org Novantrone® (mitoxantrone) manufactured by Serono, Inc., is administered four times a year by IV infusion in a medical facility. It is powerful immune system suppressor approved to be used in worsening relapsing-remitting ms as well as secondary progressive MS and all progressive forms of the MS. It has shown to reduce the frequency of MS attacks and reduce the lesions (active or new) in the brain and may slow progression of disability. Besides the disease-modifying drugs, there are other therapies available for specific symptoms like fatigue, pain, depression, spasticity, occupational therapy (for work) and cognitive therapy (for memory problems) among others. You should talk to your doctor to coordinate the therapy that is appropriate for you. See Latest News Disclaimer WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DIFFICULTY IN USE, INACCURACY OR INCOMPLETENESS OF INFORMATION, USE OF THIS INFORMATION OR RESULTS ARISING FORM THE USE OF IT, COMPUTER VIRUSES, MALICIOUS CODE, LOSS OF DATA, COMPATIBILITY ISSUES, OR OTHERWISE. WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, LOST DATA. COST TO PROCURE REPLACEMENT SERVICES OR GOODS, OR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES) ARISING OUT OF YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF OUR SITE, OR ANY OTHER LINK WE PROVIDE TO ANOTHER SITE, OR ANY ACTS, OMISSIONS, DEFECTS, SECURITY BREACHES, OR DELAYS, REGARDLESS OF THE BASIS OF THE CLAIM OR IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE OR LOSS. EACH PERSON IS RESPONSIBLE TO CONSULT THE INFORMATION WITH THEIR PHYSICIAN. |
Maria A Reyes-Velarde, MD, MPH hablemosdeem.com |
