sS TREATMENT OPTIONS MS SERVICES – MANAGING MS SERIES The two principle aims of drug  Immune Suppressants – therapy for MS are to ease sometimes immune specific symptoms and hamper suppressants such as the progression of disease by methotrexate or mitozantrone shortening the attacks. The types are used, especially for of drugs used in treatment depend people with progressive MS. on a number of factors, including  Treatments in development the type of MS. There are a large number of Some of the drug treatments new therapies being trialled in available include: the treatment of MS.   Immunotherapy - These Information about these medications slow the treatments can be obtained frequency and severity of from the Society’s nurses and attacks, which means the your neurologist myelin sheaths are subjected For more information on to less damage. immunotherapy medication Immunotherapy works by treatments please use the modifying the activity of the following links: immune system. This  Avonex treatment is most often  Betaferon prescribed for people with  Copaxone relapsing-remitting MS.  Rebif Methylprednisolone - taken  Tysabri either as pills or an infusion. The Society does not recommend This steroid medication is a particular therapy as this is a used to control the severity of clinical decision that you need to an MS attack, by easing make with your neurologist. Staff inflammation at the affected are able to provide you with site. detailed information about all of these medications and discuss MS.pdf with you what factors are Movectro (cladribine) important in your personal Movectro was approved by the decision making process. TGA in September 2010 for the New treatments treatment of relapsing-remitting Chronic Cerebospinal Venous MS. Movectro is the first oral Insufficiency (CCSVI) is disease modifying drug to be attracting a lot of attention as a approved in Australia for MS. For possible cure for MS. CCSVI more information, please refer to describes a situation where there MS Australia’s information on is an apparent reduced blood flow Movectro from the brain and spinal cord http://www.mssociety.org.au/docu over a prolonged period of time. ments/Movectro%20- In short the treatment involves %20MS%20Treatment%20Inform surgical treatments to remove the ation.pdf. blockage. It is important to note Note that Movectro is currently not that the treatment is unproven in available on the PBS, although an the long term. For more application for the subsidy is information, please refer to MS pending. Australia’s information on CCSVI Stem cell therapies %20your%20questions%20answe Stem cell therapies, of which there red.pdf are several, are at different stages Gilenya (fingolimod) of research and have different In February 2011 the Therapeutic possible benefits and risks. The Goods Administration (TGA) theory is that stem cell treatments approved the use of Gilenya for may be able to repair myelin the treatment of relapsing- damage. For more information remitting MS and secondary- please see MS Australia’s stem progressive MS with relapses. For cell booklet more information on Gilenya refer http://www.mssociety.org.au/docu to MS Australia’s Information ments/StemCellBooklet.pdf sheet http://www.msaustralia.org.au/doc uments/Gilenya%20%20New%20treatment%20for%20 Page 2 of 5 Treatment for specific See also INFO53 Symptom symptoms Series – Urinary Treatments for specific symptoms Dysfunction and Bowel may include a range of treatment, Problems.  including:    Muscle problems - a problems - treatment for combination of medication depression or anxiety may may ease muscle problems, include counselling or including stiffness and medication. Memory tremors. Physiotherapy is problems and other cognitive also recommended. See also difficulties can be better INFO08 Symptom Series – managed with professional Spasticity, and relevant help from a Information Sheets from the neuropsychologist. See also Managing MS Series. the Symptoms Series of Fatigue - some studies have Information Sheets and found that medication used to INFO 52 Symptom Series – treat the sleep disorder Depression. narcolepsy is helpful in Health care providers controlling MS-related A person with MS can better fatigue. See also relevant manage their symptoms by Information Sheets from drawing on the resources of a the Fatigue Series. health care team, including: Neurological symptoms -  Physiotherapy - including visual disturbances can be tailored exercise programs to helped with medication, improve strength, including steroids. See also coordination and flexibility. INFO55 Symptom Series –  Neuropsychological  Occupational therapy - to Visual Disturbances. learn coping strategies and Continence - treatment for new energy saving skills to continence problems may ensure a more independent include special exercises, life. These may include the medications, continence aids use of aids. (such as disposable pads) and certain dietary changes. Page 3 of 5  Neuropsychological therapy - including  techniques to improve treatment is prescribed for memory and cognitive skills. each individual's specific Other therapies - as needed, needs. such as speech therapists,  A person with MS can better eye specialists. manage their symptoms by  Nurses drawing on the resources of a  Social workers. range of different health care providers Alternative therapies Research Medications and physical therapies can be complemented Throughout the world there is by alternative therapies. See ongoing research into every INFO42 Healthy Living series – aspect of MS. In Australia MS Complementary and Alternative Research Australia implements an Therapies for more information. informed scientific agenda to accelerate advances that will Where to get help prevent, better treat and ultimately  Your GP  Your neurologist Agenda focuses on funding  The MS Society research that will increase our cure MS. The MSRA Scientific understanding of the biology Things to remember  driving MS and how to stop factors The aim of medication therapy for MS is to hamper the progression of disease by shortening the attacks and to causing further damage and how to repair existing damage that can reverse disability. ease specific symptoms.  from triggering the disease, The medication used in If you are interested in more information The Society has more information sheets included in the Managing MS Series as well as a Symptoms series and a Healthy Living series. Please see the website for more details. References MS Research Australia http://www.msra.org.au/ Page 4 of 5 MS Society of Canada Treatments http://mssociety.ca/en/treatments/default.htm MS Trust Disease modifying drug Therapy http://www.mstrust.org.uk/shop/product.jsp?prodid=90 MS International Federation (MSIF) MS in Focus Issue 17 Research in MS http://www.msif.org/en/resources/msif_resources/msif_publications/ms_in_focus/i ndex.html National MS Society US A New Era: New Drugs, New Options, New Risks published in Momentum Spring 2011 http://www.nationalmssociety.org/multimedia-library/momentummagazine/momentum-spring-2011/index.aspx INFO57 CS MS Managing MS - Treatment Options Last Updated March 2011 MS House, 110 Reservoir Road, MODBURY SA 5092 Phone 8396 0044 Fax: (08) 83 96 0184 Email ms@ ms.asn.au Website www.ms.asn.au Page 5 of 5 Toll Free: 1800 812 311