Baclofen (Lioresal, Gablofen) Baclofen is a skeletal muscle relaxant used as a first-line treatment for spasticity in patients with MS. It can effectively relieve spasms and has modest effects in improving performance. Intrathecal baclofen via an implanted pump can be effective against spasticity in suitable patients.
Drugs Approved for Relapsing-Remitting MS
Avonex and Rebif (interferon beta-1a) and Betaseron and Extavia (interferon beta-1b) are injected into the muscle (intramuscular) or under the skin (subcutaneous). It's believed that these drugs work by controlling inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS).
As many as 84 percent of people in the U.S. with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience muscle spasticity — muscles stiffness or tightness. Muscle relaxants are the mainstay medication for managing this painful symptom.
Dantrolene is a muscle relaxant for relief of cramping, spasms, and tightness of muscles (spasticity) caused by multiple sclerosis and other conditions. It acts directly on the muscles. Click here to read more about dantrolene.
The NICE guideline for MS recommends that baclofen should be the first drug used when treating MS spasticity (muscle stiffness). Baclofen is also sometimes used in combination with other medication to treat trigeminal neuralgia. It can help to relax the muscles and ease the pain.
Interferon beta-1b therapy
It is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations. It has shown efficacy in patients who have experienced a first clinical episode of MS and have MRI features consistent with MS.
IFNBs, GA, teriflunomide, and dimethyl fumarate are considered first-line therapies, while natalizumab, alemtuzumab, are mitoxantrone are second-line or third-line drugs.
These 4 course descriptors — clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS) — might help you know what to expect over the long term.
Skeletal muscle relaxants.
These drugs relieve the muscle tension of spasticity. Some work directly on your muscles, and others act through your nervous system. One of the most common medications for spasticity is the muscle relaxant baclofen (Ozobax). Doctors also sometimes prescribe dantrolene (Dantrium).
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for MS
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a promising new approach to treating MS. MSCs are multipotent cells that can differentiate into various cell types, including nerve cells. They also have immunomodulatory properties, which can modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation.
Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa) Interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Rebif ) Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron) Mitoxantrone (Novantrone)
Treatments to modify disease progression
MS treatments that can alter the course of the disease are referred to as disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Most of these therapies seek to suppress or modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, slowing disease progression and helping prevent relapses.
The most common type of MS is called relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). It is defined by temporary periods called relapses, flare-ups, or exacerbations when symptoms appear.
High-dose corticosteroids remain the "gold standard" in MS attack treatment. Interferon beta and glatiramer acetate represent disease modifying drugs. Both of these medicaments decrease the number of attacks for about 30 %, however each patient responds differently.
Baclofen is considered the first-line treatment for spasticity, especially in adult SCIs.
Metaxalone
Taken as 800 mg tablets 3 to 4 times a day, metaxalone (Skelaxin) has the fewest reported side effects. It's also the least likely of the muscle relaxants to make you sleepy. It may work better for chronic lower back pain that is flaring up, rather than for pain that is new.
If you have a type of multiple sclerosis called relapsing-remitting MS and your condition is acting up, your doctor may first treat you with a disease-modifying drug. These medicines slow down the advance of your disease and prevent flare-ups.
Medications are used in multiple sclerosis (MS) to modify the disease course, treat relapses — also called attacks or exacerbations — and manage symptoms. Along with the other essential components of comprehensive MS care, these medications help you manage your MS and enhance your quality of life.
The investigational medication evobrutinib demonstrated efficacy and tolerability over 3.5 years of treatment in people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to an international team of researchers.
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).
Trigger factors
Types of trigger include: other MS symptoms - such as bowel or bladder problems or pain. other health conditions - such as an infection or an ingrown toenail. external triggers - such as tight fitting clothes or being too hot or too cold.
Other medications are used to speed recovery from an MS attack. Some of the medications that a doctor might prescribe for relapses or attacks of MS include: A 3-to-5-day course of corticosteroids to treat inflammation and reduce the duration of the attack.