Multiple Sclerosis Medication

Despite the fact that there is no certain cure for the disease multiple sclerosis at present, existing medicinal treatments are effective in slowing down the progression rate of the disease and preventing the development of further complications. Considering the fact that most of the effects of the disease multiple sclerosis to the patients are irreversible, it is imperative to timely diagnose the disease and begin the administration of the appropriate course of medications. With the right medicinal treatment and with the aid of supportive therapies like physiotherapy and kinetotherapy, patients with multiple sclerosis can regain control of their bodies and live normal, active lives.

The medications for the disease multiple sclerosis available today are used to accomplish a series of goals in patients with multiple sclerosis; some medication treatments are aimed at slowing the progression rate of the disease, while others are aimed at ameliorating its generated symptoms and prolonging the periods of remission. The modern medications that are nowadays extensively prescribed to delay and control symptomatic flare-ups among patients with multiple sclerosis are known as “ABC drugs". This category of medications for the disease commonly consists of Avonex, Betaseron and Copaxone.

The so called ABC group of drugs is crucial in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as they reduce the intensity, duration and frequency of the immune system's attacks on healthy nervous cells. These types of medications act by triggering a series of physiological mechanisms that decrease the autoimmune response of the body. Prescribed the medicines in the appropriate dose, each of these previously mentioned multiple sclerosis medications can reduce the frequency and intensity of specific neurological symptoms by up to 30 percent.

Avonex or Beta-interferon-1a is one of the most effective multiple sclerosis medication that is administered under the form of intramuscular injections. This particular medication is used to successfully alleviate a series of diseased symptoms such as muscular weakness, visual problems, as well as cognitive affections like poor concentration, memory loss, and confusion. Administered in the proper dose as prescribed, Avonex can also reduce the frequency of symptomatic flare-ups. Due to the fact that this medicine also generates various side-effects ranging in intensity from mild to moderate, Avonex is usually associated with acetaminophen and ibuprofen, drugs that minimize the undesired effects of Avonex on the body. The considerable side-effects produced by the prolonged use of Avonex comprise fever, chills and muscular pain. These common types of symptoms however, are completely eliminated when the treatment is interrupted.

Betaseron or Beta-interferon-1b is another most effective multiple sclerosis medication primarily administered to patients with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis. Betaseron is commonly administered under the form of subcutaneous injections and produces the best results on long-term use. The visible side-effects generated by Betaseron are usually mild and consist of flu-like symptoms and local skin irritation at the site of the injection. Copaxone or Glatiramer acetate or Copolymer-1 is yet another most effective medication used to decrease the frequency and duration of the disease multiple sclerosis flare-ups. This type of modern medication for multiple sclerosis is also administered as subcutaneous injections. Unlike other available interferon-based medications, Copaxone is very well tolerated by the body and produces no perceivable side-effects.

• Juliana Breckinridge
• 26/03/2009, 12:59 AM
• 0 Comments