Multiple sclerosis

Treatment

Treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) can be divided into those that treat the disease as a whole, and those that treat specific symptoms:

Treatments for disease as a whole
At present the main drugs used to treat the disease as a whole are forms of the naturally occurring anti-viral proteins called interferons. Three forms of beta-interferon are currently used to help patients who have relapsing-remitting MS. Although these drugs do not provide a cure, they may decrease myelin destruction, reduce the number of exacerbations, slow the progression of physical disability, and decrease the duration and severity of attacks in people. However, beta-interferons do have possible side effects including injection-site reactions, fever, muscle ache, fatigue and depression.

During an attack the administration of corticosteroids may shorten the duration of the attack.

Several other possible methods of treating MS are currently being investigated. These include therapy to improve nerve impulse conduction by manipulating ion channels, and using drugs to stimulate remyelination after an attack.

Treatments for specific symptoms
As well as treating the overall disease, specific symptoms that develop in individuals can be treated. These are outlined in the table below: