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Medications for Multiple Sclerosis

Other names: MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms differ among people with the disease but generally include:

  • Balance problems
  • Concentration and focusing problems
  • Fatigue
  • Movement difficulties
  • Muscle weakness or spasms
  • Pain
  • Poor bladder or bowel control
  • Vision difficulties (blurred or double vision).

Common medications used to treat multiple sclerosis include Copaxone, Gilenya and Tecfidera.

MS can affect anyone; however, women are up to 3 times more likely to get it than men. The first symptoms generally happen between the ages of 20 and 40. Some people with mild MS may not need treatment whereas others will have trouble getting around and doing daily tasks. Most people with MS have attacks of symptoms followed by a period of recovery when symptoms improve. In others, the condition gradually progresses with time.

What Causes MS?

MS happens because a person’s immune system attacks the covering that wraps around and protects each nerve (this is called the myelin sheath), although experts are still not exactly sure what triggers this. Without this protective covering, nerves become damaged and inflamed and develop scar tissue (this is called sclerosis). This affects how nerve signals are transmitted and interpreted. In severe disease, nerves may not function at all.

Although MS is not considered a hereditary disease, people can inherit genes that give them a higher risk of developing MS (approximately 200 genes have been identified associated with MS). Smokers are also more likely to develop MS than nonsmokers, and research suggests that some incidences of MS may be triggered by a viral infection, such as the Epstein Barr virus or human herpes virus 6. MS is also more common in countries furthest from the equator.

How is MS Diagnosed?

If you are experiencing any symptoms suggestive of MS, make an appointment with your doctor. It is not easy to diagnose MS because there is not one specific symptom, physical finding or laboratory test that can prove someone has MS.

Your doctor will examine you and test your reflexes as well as take a thorough medical history. Various other tests will be ordered, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of your brain and spinal cord, an evaluation of your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and certain blood tests.

How is MS Treated?

MS does not yet have a cure, and nerve damage is not reversible. The good news is that early treatment can:

  • help delay flare-ups
  • slow deterioration in the nervous system
  • boost quality of life.

There are many different treatment options for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Anti-inflammatory agents like prednisone are often used for acute flares in MS to lower nerve inflammation.

There are also several types of beta-interferon preparations, which can help delay flare-ups. Many new treatments have also come onto the market in the last decade. Talk to your doctor about what treatment is best for you.

See also: sub-topics

Drugs used to treat Multiple Sclerosis

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Copaxone 7.6 132 reviews for Copaxone to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx B N

Generic name: glatiramer systemic

Drug class: other immunostimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Tecfidera 6.3 97 reviews for Tecfidera to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N

Generic name: dimethyl fumarate systemic

Drug class: selective immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Gilenya 7.0 92 reviews for Gilenya to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N

Generic name: fingolimod systemic

Drug class: selective immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Ocrevus 4.5 152 reviews for Ocrevus to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx N

Generic name: ocrelizumab systemic

Drug class: CD20 monoclonal antibodies

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Rebif 6.9 29 reviews for Rebif to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N X

Generic name: interferon beta-1a systemic

Drug class: interferons

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Ampyra 8.0 77 reviews for Ampyra to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N

Generic name: dalfampridine systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous central nervous system agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Tysabri 7.9 96 reviews for Tysabri to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N

Generic name: natalizumab systemic

Drug class: selective immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Avonex 7.2 44 reviews for Avonex to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N X

Generic name: interferon beta-1a systemic

Drug class: interferons

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Betaseron 7.0 7 reviews for Betaseron to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N X

Generic name: interferon beta-1b systemic

Drug class: interferons

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Kesimpta 6.5 53 reviews for Kesimpta to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N

Generic name: ofatumumab systemic

Drug class: CD20 monoclonal antibodies, selective immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Aubagio 5.4 84 reviews for Aubagio to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx X N X

Generic name: teriflunomide systemic

Drug class: selective immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

fingolimod 7.0 94 reviews for fingolimod to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N

Generic name: fingolimod systemic

Brand names:  Gilenya, Tascenso ODT

Drug class: selective immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

dimethyl fumarate 6.3 103 reviews for dimethyl fumarate to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N

Generic name: dimethyl fumarate systemic

Brand name:  Tecfidera

Drug class: selective immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Vumerity 9.4 6 reviews for Vumerity to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx N X

Generic name: diroximel fumarate systemic

Drug class: selective immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Mavenclad 9.0 2 reviews for Mavenclad to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx D N

Generic name: cladribine systemic

Drug class: antimetabolites

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

ocrelizumab 4.6 167 reviews for ocrelizumab to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx N

Generic name: ocrelizumab systemic

Brand name:  Ocrevus

Drug class: CD20 monoclonal antibodies

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Zeposia 8.7 4 reviews for Zeposia to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx N

Generic name: ozanimod systemic

Drug class: selective immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

cladribine 7.0 4 reviews for cladribine to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx D N

Generic name: cladribine systemic

Brand name:  Mavenclad

Drug class: antimetabolites

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

ozanimod 8.7 4 reviews for ozanimod to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx N

Generic name: ozanimod systemic

Brand name:  Zeposia

Drug class: selective immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

ofatumumab 6.5 53 reviews for ofatumumab to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N

Generic name: ofatumumab systemic

Brand name:  Kesimpta

Drug class: CD20 monoclonal antibodies, selective immunosuppressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Briumvi 10 1 review for Briumvi to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx N

Generic name: ublituximab systemic

Drug class: CD20 monoclonal antibodies

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

ublituximab 10 1 review for ublituximab to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx N

Generic name: ublituximab systemic

Brand name:  Briumvi

Drug class: CD20 monoclonal antibodies

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

prednisone 1.0 1 review for prednisone to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N

Generic name: prednisone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

dalfampridine 7.8 83 reviews for dalfampridine to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N

Generic name: dalfampridine systemic

Brand name:  Ampyra

Drug class: miscellaneous central nervous system agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Avonex Pen 8.8 12 reviews for Avonex Pen to treat Multiple Sclerosis
Rx C N X

Generic name: interferon beta-1a systemic

Drug class: interferons

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Multiple Sclerosis

Learn more about Multiple Sclerosis

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

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