Ofatumumab (Kesimpta, Arzerra) targets cells that damage the nervous system. These cells are called B cells. Ofatumumab is given by an injection under the skin and can decrease multiple sclerosis brain lesions and worsening symptoms. Possible side effects are infections, local reactions to the injection and headaches.
OCREVUS is approved by the FDA to treat relapsing or primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). OCREVUS is given once every six months by an intravenous (IV) infusion.
Kesimpta (ofatumumab) is a disease modifying drug (DMD) for relapsing remitting MS. You take Kesimpta as an injection under the skin once a month. It reduces the number of relapses by about two thirds (70%).
Ocrevus and Tysabri account for over 85% of the patient share of multiple sclerosis medications. Ocrevus experienced a 5.6% year-over-year (YoY) growth, while all other top 10 medications experienced less than a 1.8% YoY change in variance.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new treatment for adult patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The Dec. 28, 2022 announcement states that TG Therapeutics, Inc. has been authorized to manufacture the injectable medication Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy).
ACTRIMS 2023: TG aims to make Briumvi accessible to patients
Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy) recently became the third anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Avonex (interferon beta 1a) is a disease modifying drug (DMD) for relapsing remitting MS. You self-inject Avonex into a muscle once a week to reduce the number and severity of relapses. It reduces the number of relapses by about one third (30%).
On Feb. 1st, 2023, Dante Crumbley was the first person in the United Sates to receive the hour long, twice-a-year infusion of a new medication for Multiple Sclerosis called Briumvi.
Shingles vaccine (Zostavax®)
Zostavax, is a live-virus vaccine to prevent shingles. MS healthcare providers do not recommend live-virus vaccines for people with MS because these vaccines can lead to an increase in disease activity.
A: Inactivated vaccines are generally considered safe for people with MS including those taking a disease modifying therapy. Live attenuated vaccines are generally not recommended for a person with MS because their ability to cause disease is weakened but not totally inactivated.
Research indicates they can have life threatening side effects. In contrast, multiple sclerosis medications with the safest profile are interferon-β preparations, such as Avonex, and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone).
A person with benign MS will have few symptoms or loss of ability after having MS for about 15 years, while most people with MS would be expected to have some degree of disability after that amount of time, particularly if their MS went untreated.
Ocrelizumab is the only drug which has demonstrated efficacy in both relapsing and primary progressive forms of MS; alemtuzumab and cladribine have not been known to be used for primary-progressive MS.
Multiple sclerosis is caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking the brain and nerves. It's not clear why this happens but it may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
AUBAGIO® (teriflunomide) is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.
You take Ocrevus as an intravenous infusion (drip). The first dose is given as two separate infusions, two weeks apart. Further doses are given as one infusion every six months, usually in a hospital clinic. The infusions take around 3 to 4 hours to complete.
Tecfidera® is an oral therapy contained in capsules taken two times per day. Tecfidera, formerly known as BG-12, is dimethyl fumarate, a formulation that was developed specifically for use by people with multiple sclerosis.
There is no cure for MS, but there are drugs that can alter the course of the condition. Research in recent years has determined a few things about risk factors. For example, low levels of vitamin D, smoking, having overweight, and living farther from the Equator can increase the risk.
Anticonvulsants have been the first line therapy for MS related neuropathic pain. We generally start treatment with Gabapentin or Pre-Gabalin. These medications can make patients sleepy or dizzy, so starting in low doses or at bed time can help the patient better tolerate the medications.
A small number of people with MS have only mild disease and do well without treatment. But many get worse over time. Medicines can reduce the severity of attacks of relapsing-remitting MS and how often you have them. They may also reduce or delay disability.
Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
A muscle relaxant can reduce stiffness and spasms and may be particularly useful to treat painful night-time spasms. Because its effects last for only 3-6 hours, it can be best used around specific times when relief from symptoms is most important, for example at bedtime.