The 7 Types Of Drug Therapy For Multiple Sclerosis
Filed under: Health and Fitness
Not many people have heard the name and many more are unfamiliar with the symptoms of Multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a chronic and progressive illness affecting the central nervous system, spinal chord and the brain. Hence there is always the concern and confusion regarding Multiple sclerosis treatment. But before looking at the treatment, let us understand what MS really is.
Multiple sclerosis or MS is a disease where the immune system of the body targets itself and starts attacking the tissues, cells, and other vital organs. The symptoms and the progressive nature of illness can vary from one person to another but the Multiple sclerosis treatment is dependent on three specific forms of this disease. The 3 forms include primary progressive MS, relapsing-remitting MS and secondary progressive MS.
There are more than 400,000 people affected with MS and undergoing various types of Multiple sclerosis treatment in the United States and the number worldwide is expected to be around 2.5 million. It is 2-3 times more predominant in women as compared to men. There are 7 different types of drug therapies that assist in Multiple sclerosis treatment and focus mostly on delaying the progressive nature of the disease and to minimize its severity.
Multiple sclerosis treatment for patients suffering from any of 3 forms of MS is as follows:
1. Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron): The drug is normally injected under the skin every alternate day. The drug consists of Interferon, which is one of the substances produced within the body for regulating the immune system. Interferon decreases the rate of a relapse.
2. Interferon beta-1a (Avonex): As a part of this Multiple sclerosis treatment, Interferon is injected once every week right into the muscles inside the body. It strengthens the immune system and reduces the activity of disease causing white blood cells.
3. Frequency Interferon beta-1a (Rebif): This drug is injected thrice a week right under the skin. It helps the immune system to fight diseases and helps in decreasing formation of new lesions and even minimizes the rate of relapse.
4. Glatiramer (Copaxone): This drug therapy is a part of relapsing Multiple sclerosis treatment and daily injections are required. Although the exact detailed working of the drug therapy has not been completely determined but the overview is that it helps in modifying the existing immune process that has led to Multiple sclerosis.
5. Interferon beta (Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron): This drug therapy is a part of secondary progressive Multiple sclerosis treatment and works the same way as Interferon beta-1a or 1b.
6. Mitoxantrone (Novantrone): Mitoxantrone drug therapy hampers the growth of certain cells within the immune system, which are responsible for destroying myelin within the central nervous system.
7. Corticosteroids (methylprednisolone, prednisone, dexamethasone): This drug therapy is initiated in cases of acute relapse. Corticosteroid decreases the intensity the reaction of the immune system to myelin.
These are the seven most common drug therapies that effectively constitute Multiple sclerosis treatment.
© CG Groth Inc 2007
Robert Groth, author and speaker was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1990. Receive more information and a free inspirational daily email on how you can beat multiple sclerosis at http://www.beatmultiplesclerosis.com
Tags: Multiple sclerosis
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