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Treating Relapsing MS
For most people diagnosed with relapsing MS, their greatest fear is serious disability . Although a possibility, it is important to know that being diagnosed with relapsing MS does not necessarily mean you will become severely disabled.
Over time, MS disease activity leads to permanent nerve damage. This damage builds up and can eventually cause long-term disability in MS.
Not everyone experiences the same level of disease activity, so disability progresses at different rates for different people. Studies have shown that people who have more brain lesions and more relapses early on are likely to progress more quickly. But it is impossible for your health care provider to predict how quickly your MS will progress.
There is no cure yet for MS. But there are many treatments. Some only treat the symptoms of MS. Others are disease-modifying drugs, MS drugs proven to reduce disease activity and relapses, and even delay the progression of disability in relapsing MS in some cases. That's why many experts think it's important to start therapy as early as possible after diagnosis of relapsing MS. These drugs should be taken consistently and as directed by your health care provider.
Disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) used for treating relapsing MS include:
- Rebif® (interferon beta-1a )
- Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate injection)
- Avonex® (interferon beta-1a)
- Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b)
- Tysabri® (natalizumab)
All medications have side effects. They may be most noticeable when you start therapy.
Learn more about Rebif and side effects.
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 the Elan Corporation, Inc.

