There are many treatments available for MS, many of which can help decrease the frequency and severity of relapses, improve physical function, and ease symptoms caused by the condition.
While there’s no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), there are many treatments available. These treatments mainly focus on slowing down the progression of the disease and managing symptoms.
Different people can have different types of MS, and disease progression and symptoms range greatly from person to person. For both reasons, each person’s treatment plan will be different.
Read on to learn about the types of MS treatments available.
Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) can reduce the frequency and severity of MS episodes, or relapses. They also can reduce the number and size of lesions (damage to nerve fibers) and reduce symptoms.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has currently approved several drugs for modifying MS. They’re available as:
- injectables
- intravenous (IV) infusions
- oral treatments
Injectables
The following medications are given as injections:
In 2018, the manufacturers of the injection daclizumab (Zinbryta)
Infusions
Healthcare professionals must give the following therapies by infusion at a licensed medical facility:
Oral treatments
These treatments are pills taken by mouth:
The following treatments are capsules taken by mouth:
Stem cells have shown some promise in treating the neural damage that MS causes.
Research on stem cells in MS has included test-tube studies, animal studies, and some human studies. Researchers are looking at various styles of stem cell therapies to treat MS, such as bone marrow transplants. However, additional research is still needed. No stem cell therapies for MS are currently approved by the FDA.
According to one research review, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy may help reduce or prevent central nervous system (CNS) damage due to MS. Some participants in clinical studies also noted improvements following stem cell therapy.
Read more about research into stem cell therapy for MS.
Doctors may recommend rehabilitation and other lifestyle behaviors to improve the quality of life with MS.
Diet
While there isn’t any research supporting one specific diet for MS, eating a generally nutrient-rich, balanced diet is recommended.
Exercise
Staying active is critical to addressing MS symptoms and maintaining quality of life. Exercise can help:
- improve muscle strength
- increase cardiovascular health
- improve mood
- improve cognitive function
A good way to start your MS exercise routine is to try basic stretches while sitting or in bed. When you feel comfortable with those exercises, add more demanding exercises such as:
- walking
- swimming
- dancing
- yoga
- resistance training
- aerobic exercise
You can modify and build on your exercise program as you get stronger and more comfortable exercising.
Spending time with people you enjoy can also help improve your mood. Exercising with others might also be a good way to stay social.
Additionally, be sure to talk with a doctor or physical therapist before starting any exercise program.
Not only can they provide recommendations for which activities may be safe and beneficial, but they can also offer suggestions for modifying or adapting exercise routines as needed.
Learn exercises to try to MS.
Physical therapy
People with MS often experience fatigue. And when you’re tired, you may not feel like exercising.
But the less exercise you get, the more tired you may feel. That’s another reason exercise, including physical therapy (PT), is so important.
Some people with MS may benefit from a carefully tailored exercise program. Important factors include keeping session times short and increasing exercise over time.
Especially if you’ve recently experienced a change in coordination, strength, or energy levels during a relapse, you may want to consider PT.
During relapse, the goal of PT is to prevent muscle contractions and atrophy, or loss of muscle tissue, due to immobility.
In cases where a relapse causes severe weakness, a therapist may recommend passive muscle movements. This involves the physical therapist moving your arms, legs, or other parts of the body if you cannot move them yourself.
A professional PT program
Ending a relapse as quickly as possible benefits your body and the mind. That’s where relapse treatments come in.
Corticosteroids
Inflammation is a key feature of MS relapses. It can lead to many other symptoms of MS, such as:
- fatigue
- weakness
- pain
Doctors may recommend high dose corticosteroids to ease inflammation and reduce the severity of MS attacks. You typically receive steroid therapy as an infusion in an outpatient center. You may also need to take oral steroids for a time to gradually taper off afterward.
Corticosteroids used to treat MS commonly include methylprednisolone (intravenous) and prednisone.
Read more about steroid therapy for MS flare-ups.
Other treatments
Other treatments that are sometimes used during a relapse may include:
- ACTH (H.P. Acthar Gel): ACTH is an injection into your muscle or under your skin. It works by prompting the adrenal cortex gland to secrete the hormones cortisol, corticosterone, and aldosterone. These hormones help reduce the level of inflammation in your body.
- Plasmapheresis: This process involves removing whole blood from your body and filtering it to remove antibodies that may be attacking your nervous system. The “cleansed†blood is then returned to you through a transfusion.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG): This treatment involves an injection that helps modify abnormal inflammation mediated by the immune system. However, clinical studies have inconsistently shown its benefits for MS relapses.
While the drugs listed above help treat MS, a range of medications are available to treat the different physical symptoms that MS can cause.
Drugs for pain and other muscle problems
Doctors may prescribe muscle relaxants for people with MS. That’s because relaxing muscles can help with common MS symptoms such as:
- pain
- muscle spasms
- fatigue
Relieving those symptoms can also help with depression, which can occur with MS.
Drugs for muscle stiffness
- baclofen (Lioresal)
- cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
- diazepam (Valium)
- tizanidine (Zanaflex)
Drugs for fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom for people with MS.
Drugs used to treat fatigue include modafinil (Provigil).
They also include amantadine hydrochloride (Gocovri) and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall), which is used off-label for this purpose. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved for one purpose
Doctors may also prescribe fluoxetine (Prozac) since it helps address both fatigue and depression.
Drugs for bladder and bowel problems
There are more than a dozen prescription medications for bladder problems, such as incontinence, related to MS. You can talk with your doctor about which drugs might be best for you.
Doctors may recommend over-the-counter stool softeners to help ease constipation and bowel symptoms associated with MS. If you have questions about these products, consider consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Though MS treatments can help manage the condition, they
- nausea
- headaches
- increased risk of infections
- flu-like symptoms related to infections
Coping with MS can present challenges, but treatment can make a big difference in how you feel, both physically and emotionally.
You can work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that addresses your medical issues and can help improve your physical symptoms and emotional outlook.