Therapy Options

Disease Modifying Drugs (DMDs)

Currently, there is no cure for MS. But there are treatments that can help you manage it. They are called disease-modifying drugs (DMDs). They are the only medications proven to change the course of your relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

Starting the right way

Disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) are typically given by injection. Avonex^® (interferon beta-1a), Betaseron^® (interferon beta-1b), Rebif^® (interferon beta-1a) and Copaxone^® (glatiramer acetate injection) are typically self-injected or injected by a care partner. This means you and your care partner need to learn how to inject properly. Not all self-injecting DMDs utilize the same injection procedure. Your health care provider's staff will teach you how to inject your medication. In addition, every DMD offers a support program. These programs may also provide injection training. Some even have nurses who will come to your home.

Tysabri^® (natalizumab) is given by intravenous (IV) infusion and must be given by a health care provider.

DMDs may fight relapsing MS in 3 important ways:

• Slowing MS disease progression (or delaying progression of disability)
• Reducing the frequency of relapses
• Reducing disease activity and area as seen on an MRI

The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disease progression, is unknown.

DMDs have been studied for years. Most experts think that DMD treatment should start early; some believe as early as the day you're diagnosed.

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) advise early treatment. Research shows that nerve damage starts early in MS. Once the nerve fiber is destroyed, it may be lost forever. Talk with your health care provider to find out which drug is best for you. Start taking it as soon as you can, once you are diagnosed with relapsing MS.

"Initiation of therapy...should be considered as soon as possible following a definite diagnosis of MS with active disease..."
—The Executive Committee of the Medical Advisory Board of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2005

Remember, MS is different for everyone. Symptoms and drugs do not affect people the same way. One drug may be right for one person and not for another. This is why it is important to know the facts. Then you and your health care provider can make an educated choice.

Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) treatments

Therapies used for treating RRMS include:

• Rebif^® (interferon beta-1a)
• Avonex^® (interferon beta-1a)
• Betaseron^® (interferon beta-1b)
• Copaxone^® (glatiramer acetate injection)
• Tysabri^® (natalizumab)

How they may work

Interferon beta is a protein that exists naturally in the body. It may help the body's immune system by fighting disease activity and reducing inflammation.

Interferon beta is thought to work by:

• Regulating immune cells outside the CNS
• Stopping immune cells from crossing the BBB
• Reducing inflammation in the CNS

Rebif and Avonex contain interferon beta-1a. This type of interferon is identical to the body's own natural human interferon beta. The interferon beta-1b in Betaseron differs slightly from natural human interferon beta.

Other available MS therapies do not resemble any of the body's naturally occurring proteins. Copaxone and Tysabri are not interferon therapies. Copaxone is made up of 4 amino acids. It is thought to reduce inflammation within the brain and spinal cord.

Tysabri is a humanized monoclonal antibody. Humanized monoclonal antibodies originate in another species and are altered in a laboratory so they can be used in humans. Tysabri is thought to work by binding to immune cells and interfering with their movement from the bloodstream into the brain and spinal cord.

Staying with therapy

Remember, your relapsing MS therapy can only work if you are taking it. If you just started therapy, stay with it. Many side effects are manageable. If you are thinking about stopping your medicine, call your health care provider's office.

The most important thing is to start on therapy as soon as possible, once you are diagnosed, and stay with it!

Learn more about:

Avonex is a registered trademark of Biogen Idec.
Betaseron is a registered trademark of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.
Copaxone is a registered trademark of Teva Neuroscience, Inc.
Tysabri is a registered trademark of Elan Corporation, Inc.