Medications

Betaferon

Betaferon (interferon beta-1b), known in the USA as Betaseron, may be given to people with Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) who have had two or more relapses during the last 2 years. It may also be given to people with Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) ++with active disease (i.e. relapses) and to people with a single demyelinating event with an active inflammatory process if it is severe enough to warrant treatment with intravenous corticosteroids.  Betaferon is a suitable treatment for people with RRMS and two or more relapses within the last two years and patients with SPMS with active disease, evidenced by relapses.  Betaferon is given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin), at a dose of 250 µg (micrograms), every other day. It is not known for how long patients should be treated. After 2 years of treatment, all patients should be assessed by their neurologist and decisions about longer-term treatment made on an individual basis.

Avonex

Avonex is used to treat Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). It has been shown to be effective in slowing the progression of the disease and reducing the frequency of clinical relapses. Avonex is given as an intramuscular injection, once a week.  Avonex is a suitable treatment for people with RRMS who are able to walk, who have had at least two relapses in the preceding 3 years, and who do not have evidence of progressive disease.

Rebif

Rebif, is a form of beta interferon (interferon beta, IFN-b) used to modify the course of multiple sclerosis. While not a cure, Rebif has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the average relapse rate in people with the  relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) form of the disease. That doesn't mean that it reduces the relapse rate for all the trial volunteers, just that averaged over the entire volunteer population, the relapse rate is reduced.  Rebif was licensed in Europe for use with RRMS in 1998.  Rebif is a form of beta interferon known as interferon beta-1a. It is identical to the naturally occurring protein found in the human body. Rebif is the same substance as Avonex but administered differently (22 mcg or 44 mcg, sub-cutaneously, 3 times a week as against 30 mcg, intra-muscularly, once a week for Avonex).

Copaxone

The active ingredient of Copaxone , glatiramer acetate, is a synthetic compound of four amino acids. Copaxone may be given to reduce relapses in people with Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS). Such people should be ambulatory (able to walk) and have had at least two relapses in the last 2 years.  Copaxone is a suitable treatment for people with RRMS who have had at least two attacks of neurological dysfunction over the proceeding two-year period.  Copaxone is given as a daily subcutaneous injection (under the skin). The dose is 20 mg (milligrams). Decisions about the length of treatment should be made by the treating physician on an individual basis.

Tysabri

Tysabri (natalizumab) belongs to a novel class of drug known as selective adhesion molecule (SAM) inhibitor; it is also a disease modifying treatment or drug (DMT or DMD); however it works in a different way to older DMT/DMDs.  Natalizumab, the active substance in Tysabri, is a monoclonal antibody that has been designed to recognise and bind to a specific structure (an antigen) that is found on certain cells in the body. This structure is called an integrin; the integrin is found on the surface of the white cells in the blood which are involved in the inflammation process of MS. By attaching to the integrin, natalizumab stops the white blood cells from moving the blood stream into the brain. This reduces inflammation, and the nerve damage caused by MS.  Tysabri is used to treat patients who have Rapidly Evolving Severe Relapsing Remitting MS (RES RRMS).