sS S TREATMENT OPTIONS

sS
TREATMENT OPTIONS
MS SERVICES – MANAGING MS SERIES
The two principle aims of drug

Immune Suppressants –
therapy for MS are to ease
sometimes immune
specific symptoms and hamper
suppressants such as
the progression of disease by
methotrexate or mitozantrone
shortening the attacks. The types
are used, especially for
of drugs used in treatment depend
people with progressive MS.
on a number of factors, including

Treatments in development
the type of MS.
There are a large number of
Some of the drug treatments
new therapies being trialled in
available include:
the treatment of MS.


Immunotherapy - These
Information about these
medications slow the
treatments can be obtained
frequency and severity of
from the Society’s nurses and
attacks, which means the
your neurologist
myelin sheaths are subjected
For more information on
to less damage.
immunotherapy medication
Immunotherapy works by
treatments please use the
modifying the activity of the
following links:
immune system. This

Avonex
treatment is most often

Betaferon
prescribed for people with

Copaxone
relapsing-remitting MS.

Rebif
Methylprednisolone - taken

Tysabri
either as pills or an infusion.
The Society does not recommend
This steroid medication is
a particular therapy as this is a
used to control the severity of
clinical decision that you need to
an MS attack, by easing
make with your neurologist. Staff
inflammation at the affected
are able to provide you with
site.
detailed information about all of
these medications and discuss
MS.pdf
with you what factors are
Movectro (cladribine)
important in your personal
Movectro was approved by the
decision making process.
TGA in September 2010 for the
New treatments
treatment of relapsing-remitting
Chronic Cerebospinal Venous
MS. Movectro is the first oral
Insufficiency (CCSVI) is
disease modifying drug to be
attracting a lot of attention as a
approved in Australia for MS. For
possible cure for MS. CCSVI
more information, please refer to
describes a situation where there
MS Australia’s information on
is an apparent reduced blood flow
Movectro
from the brain and spinal cord
http://www.mssociety.org.au/docu
over a prolonged period of time.
ments/Movectro%20-
In short the treatment involves
%20MS%20Treatment%20Inform
surgical treatments to remove the
ation.pdf.
blockage. It is important to note
Note that Movectro is currently not
that the treatment is unproven in
available on the PBS, although an
the long term. For more
application for the subsidy is
information, please refer to MS
pending.
Australia’s information on CCSVI
Stem cell therapies
%20your%20questions%20answe
Stem cell therapies, of which there
red.pdf
are several, are at different stages
Gilenya (fingolimod)
of research and have different
In February 2011 the Therapeutic
possible benefits and risks. The
Goods Administration (TGA)
theory is that stem cell treatments
approved the use of Gilenya for
may be able to repair myelin
the treatment of relapsing-
damage. For more information
remitting MS and secondary-
please see MS Australia’s stem
progressive MS with relapses. For
cell booklet
more information on Gilenya refer
http://www.mssociety.org.au/docu
to MS Australia’s Information
ments/StemCellBooklet.pdf
sheet
http://www.msaustralia.org.au/doc
uments/Gilenya%20%20New%20treatment%20for%20
Page 2 of 5
Treatment for specific
See also INFO53 Symptom
symptoms
Series – Urinary
Treatments for specific symptoms
Dysfunction and Bowel
may include a range of treatment,
Problems.

including:



Muscle problems - a
problems - treatment for
combination of medication
depression or anxiety may
may ease muscle problems,
include counselling or
including stiffness and
medication. Memory
tremors. Physiotherapy is
problems and other cognitive
also recommended. See also
difficulties can be better
INFO08 Symptom Series –
managed with professional
Spasticity, and relevant
help from a
Information Sheets from the
neuropsychologist. See also
Managing MS Series.
the Symptoms Series of
Fatigue - some studies have
Information Sheets and
found that medication used to
INFO 52 Symptom Series –
treat the sleep disorder
Depression.
narcolepsy is helpful in
Health care providers
controlling MS-related
A person with MS can better
fatigue. See also relevant
manage their symptoms by
Information Sheets from
drawing on the resources of a
the Fatigue Series.
health care team, including:
Neurological symptoms -

Physiotherapy - including
visual disturbances can be
tailored exercise programs to
helped with medication,
improve strength,
including steroids. See also
coordination and flexibility.
INFO55 Symptom Series –

Neuropsychological

Occupational therapy - to
Visual Disturbances.
learn coping strategies and
Continence - treatment for
new energy saving skills to
continence problems may
ensure a more independent
include special exercises,
life. These may include the
medications, continence aids
use of aids.
(such as disposable pads)
and certain dietary changes.
Page 3 of 5

Neuropsychological
therapy - including

techniques to improve
treatment is prescribed for
memory and cognitive skills.
each individual's specific
Other therapies - as needed,
needs.
such as speech therapists,

A person with MS can better
eye specialists.
manage their symptoms by

Nurses
drawing on the resources of a

Social workers.
range of different health care
providers
Alternative therapies
Research
Medications and physical
therapies can be complemented
Throughout the world there is
by alternative therapies. See
ongoing research into every
INFO42 Healthy Living series –
aspect of MS. In Australia MS
Complementary and Alternative
Research Australia implements an
Therapies for more information.
informed scientific agenda to
accelerate advances that will
Where to get help
prevent, better treat and ultimately

Your GP

Your neurologist
Agenda focuses on funding

The MS Society
research that will increase our
cure MS. The MSRA Scientific
understanding of the biology
Things to remember

driving MS and how to stop factors
The aim of medication
therapy for MS is to hamper
the progression of disease by
shortening the attacks and to
causing further damage and how
to repair existing damage that can
reverse disability.
ease specific symptoms.

from triggering the disease,
The medication used in
If you are interested in more information
The Society has more information sheets included in the Managing MS Series as
well as a Symptoms series and a Healthy Living series. Please see the website
for more details.
References
MS Research Australia
http://www.msra.org.au/
Page 4 of 5
MS Society of Canada
Treatments http://mssociety.ca/en/treatments/default.htm
MS Trust
Disease modifying drug Therapy
http://www.mstrust.org.uk/shop/product.jsp?prodid=90
MS International Federation (MSIF)
MS in Focus Issue 17 Research in MS
http://www.msif.org/en/resources/msif_resources/msif_publications/ms_in_focus/i
ndex.html
National MS Society US
A New Era: New Drugs, New Options, New Risks published in Momentum Spring
2011 http://www.nationalmssociety.org/multimedia-library/momentummagazine/momentum-spring-2011/index.aspx
INFO57 CS MS Managing MS - Treatment Options
Last Updated March 2011
MS House, 110 Reservoir Road, MODBURY SA 5092
Phone 8396 0044
Fax: (08) 83 96 0184
Email ms@ ms.asn.au
Website www.ms.asn.au
Page 5 of 5
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