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What Are The Treatment Options?
Currently, there are two types of treatment for MS. The first modifies the course of MS by reducing the number and severity of MS attacks. (Attacks are referred to as relapses or exacerbations.) It also slows the progression of disability. There are five different FDA approved products for this type of treatment:

1. Avonex (Interferon beta-1a) - (www.avonex.com) - Administered intramuscularly (into the muscle) once a week. 2. Betaseron (Interferon beta-1b) - (www.Betaseron.com) - Administered subcutaneously (under the skin) injection every other day.3. Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) - (www.Copaxone.com) - Administered subcutaneously (under the skin) injection, daily.

4. Novantrone (mitoxantrone) - (www.Novantrone.com) - Given intravenously once every three months. (Note: Novantrone is used to treat more progressive forms of MS).

5. Rebif (Interferon beta-1a) - (www.Rebif.com) - Administered subcutaneously (under the skin) injection 3 times a week.

The second type of treatment is for symptoms directly related to the disease. There are numerous drugs used to treat spasticity, fatigue, depression, pain, tremor, urinary frequency and acute exacerbation, to name a few. In 1993, Betaseron ® was approved by the FDA to reduce the severity and frequency of attacks. Avonex ® received FDA approval to slow the development of disability and reduce the severity and frequency of attacks in 1996. In late 1996, Copaxone ® was approved for treating relapsing-remitting MS.

Novantrone ® was approved by the FDA for the treatment of worsening relapsing-remitting and some forms of progressive MS in 2000. In 2002, Rebif ® was approved by the FDA for treating relapsing forms of MS. It has been shown to decrease the number of flare-ups of the disease and slow the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS.