Although there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, there are medications that aid in treatment, reducing inflammatory activity and epidemics over time, thus reducing the symptoms of physical disability characteristic of the disease.
Treatment for multiple sclerosis usually includes:
- When determining treatment.
- Your doctor should consider factors such as the efficacy and safety of the drug.
- The profile of the person.
- And other treatments you are undergoing.
- But especially the clinical form of the disease.
Interferon beta is one of the most commonly prescribed immunomodulatory drugs to treat multiple sclerosis, reducing the frequency and severity of epidemics.
The most common side effects include an injection site reaction, flu-characteristic symptoms such as fever, headache, sneezing, runny nose and liver damage, so blood tests should be performed to control liver enzymes.
Some people who take this medicine may develop antibodies that may reduce the effectiveness of other medicines.
Ocrelizumab, a commercially known Ocrevus, is a humanized recombinant monoclonal antibody that works by modulating the immune system, but its mechanism of action is not yet known.
The most common side effects that this remedy can cause are injection site reactions, decreased blood pressure, fever and nausea.In addition, it can also increase the risk of cancer, i.e. breast cancer.Learn more about this medicine.
Glatiramer acetate is composed of a set of synthetic polypeptides capable of regulating the immune system, helping to block the immune system’s attack on myelin.
The most common side effects include injection site irritation, infection, anxiety, depression, headache, discomfort, joint and back pain and feeling weak.
It is a remedy that prevents the immune system from damaging the brain and spinal cord, helping to delay the worsening of the disease.
The most common side effects that can occur during treatment are diarrhea, nausea, and a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood.
Fingolimod is a remedy that helps reduce the number of recurrences, delaying symptoms of the disease.This medicine can disrupt the functioning of the immune system, preventing inflammatory cells from reaching the brain, reducing nerve damage caused by multiple sclerosis.
The most common side effects that can occur when using this medicine are headache, high blood pressure, blurred vision and reduced heart rate, so it is important to monitor your heart a few hours after the first dose.
Studies show that teriflunomide, known commercially as Aubagio, significantly reduces the onset of epidemics, the risk of disability progression and inflammatory activity of injuries.Learn more about this medicine.
The most common side effects that can occur during treatment are liver damage and hair loss. This medicine is harmful to the developing fetus and should not be used by pregnant women or who wish to become pregnant and should not be used by their male partner.
Natalizumab, known commercially as Tysabri, is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the movement of potentially harmful immune cells from the bloodstream to the brain and spinal cord.
The most common side effects this medicine can cause are headaches, fatigue, infections, depression and limb pain. This medicine increases the risk of a viral brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in some people.
This medicine helps reduce potential nerve damage caused by white blood cells, but on the other hand, increases the risk of infections and autoimmune diseases.
The most common side effects that can occur when using this remedy are reactions associated with infusion, infections and thyroid disorders.
Commercially known as mitostat, this immunosuppressant inhibits the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes, the production of antibodies by B cells, and the destruction of macrophage-mediated myelin.
This drug can be harmful to the heart and is associated with the development of cancer in the blood, so its use in the treatment of multiple sclerosis is extremely limited.Mitoxantrone is usually used only to treat serious and advanced diseases or for people who have not responded to other treatments.
The following table lists all types of multiple sclerosis and commonly prescribed medications for each of them:
Glatiramer acetate
Glatiramer acetate
When an outbreak of multiple sclerosis occurs, medications that act to control acute inflammation, such as corticosteroids, should be given.
Corticosteroids, such as oral prednisone and intravenous methylprednisolone, are prescribed to reduce nerve inflammation.The most common side effects of these medications may include insomnia, increased blood pressure, mood swings and fluid retention.
For people with multiple sclerosis, in addition to treatment with medications that delay symptoms of the disease, a healthy lifestyle should be promoted through a proper diet, regular physical activity when tolerated, physiotherapy, correction of vitamin deficiency Vitamin supplementation of D and omega 3.
Watch the video below and find out how to do recommended exercises for multiple sclerosis:
In addition, it is very important to control symptoms that occur through symptomatic treatment, which usually include muscle contractions, fatigue, weakness, pain, sexual dysfunction, depression and uncontrolled bladder and intestines:
Treatment of multiple sclerosis should be determined by the doctor and the person should be monitored frequently to adapt medications as the disease progresses.It is important that the person never self-medites, even if one of the above symptoms appears.