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This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.
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Australian Prescriber Vol. 25 No. 2 2002
Treatment of multiple sclerosis with newer immune-modulating drugs
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system which often strikes young adults. The damage it does to the nerves causes weakness and changes in sensation. Many patients have occasional attacks then recover, but some patients become disabled very quickly.
The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, but it is something to do with the immune system. Medicines which act on the body's immune system can sometimes help to reduce the number of attacks.
Some of these medicines are expensive and have to be given by regular injections. They reduce the number of relapses over two years by about one third. The benefits and harms of treatment for longer than two years are not known. Most patients will have some side effects. Often there is a reaction at the site of the injection but more general side effects are also common. It is not yet known if these injections will prevent long-term disability.
See also
Multiple sclerosis: a patient's perspective
See also
Patient support organisation: MS Australia
