MS Treatment Options

Receiving a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis can feel overwhelming but you're not alone. Even though there’s no cure for MS, there are many effective ways to treat and manage the disease.

What are the treatment options for MS?

MS looks different for everyone, so treatment plans are personalized based on your symptoms, lifestyle, health history and how the disease is progressing. The goal of treatment is to slow the progression of the disease, manage your symptoms and support your well-being.

Your treatment plan may include medications, strategies for managing symptoms and lifestyle and self-care steps. Treatment may help you recover from attacks more quickly and slow the course of the disease. Various medicines may help treat fatigue, pain, muscle stiffness, bladder issues, walking speed or depression.

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs)

DMTs are the cornerstone of long-term MS treatment. They help reduce flare-ups (relapses) and make them less severe. They help keep MS from getting worse quickly.

Most of the immune system response happens early in the disease, so treating MS early and quickly can help keep symptoms from getting worse. However, these medications may cause some serious side effects including liver toxicity, immunosuppression and increased risk for infections. You’ll want to talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits.

There are several types of DMTs available:

Injectable medications

These medications are injected into your skin or muscle:

• Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa): This medicine may keep your immune system from attacking myelin. 
• Interferon beta medicines: These medicines may lower inflammation and reduce relapses and make them less severe.
• Ofatumumab (Kesimpta): This medicine targets the B cells that damage the nervous system. It may help keep new lesions from appearing and symptoms from getting worse. 

Oral medications

You take these medications by mouth, as a pill, tablet or capsule. They may reduce relapses. For many, you’ll need regular blood testing. Using birth control is also recommended when you’re taking these medications, since they can be harmful for unborn babies.

• Cladribine (Mavenclad)
• Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera)
• Diroximel fumarate (Vumerity)
• Fingolimod (Gilenya)
• Ozanimod (Zeposia)
• Ponesimod (Ponvory)
• Siponimod (Mayzent)
• Teriflunomide (Aubagio)

Infusion treatments

These treatments are given by IV to help reduce relapses:

• Alemtuzumab (Campath, Lemtrada)
• Natalizumab (Tysabri)
• Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus)
• Ublituximab (Briumvi)

Managing MS symptoms

MS can cause a wide range of symptoms. Some may come and go, while others may last. Along with medications, treatments may include:

• Steroids: Intravenous methylprednisolone can be used in cases of acute relapses to help decrease inflammation in the central nervous system.
• Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis): Separating your blood cells from your plasma, mixing the cells with albumin (a protein solution) and putting that into your body may help with severe symptoms. Plasma exchange may be an option if steroids aren’t working. 
• Physical or occupational therapy: PT or OT can help keep you more mobile and independent. These therapists can help you strengthen and stretch your muscles, plus they can teach you how to use devices and aids to make it easier to complete tasks.
• Speech therapy: Speech therapy can help you communicate and make it easier to swallow.
• Assistive devices: Canes, walkers or braces may make it easier for you to move around. Shower chairs and wall bars can help keep you safe.
• Mental health support: Care can address depression, anxiety or emotional shifts.

Lifestyle and self-care

A healthy lifestyle can make a big difference in managing MS symptoms: 

• Regular physical activity: Exercise and activity help you stay strong and flexible. 
• Balanced diet: Anti-inflammatory foods and foods high in vitamin D may help with symptoms.
• Stress management: Techniques like mindfulness, yoga, tai chi or meditation can lower the impact of stress on your health.
• Good sleep hygiene: Sleeping well helps with energy levels and brain function.
• Keeping cool: Some people with MS have worse symptoms if they are warm. You may want to use a cooling vest or scarf if that’s the case.
• Avoiding tobacco: Don’t smoke or use tobacco.

Working with your care team

MS is a lifelong condition and having a strong care team helps make sure you get the right treatment at the right time, depending on your stage of life and how advanced the disease is.

Your team may include: 

• Neurologists: Doctors who specialize in treating and managing conditions that affect the nervous system, like MS.
• Primary care providers: Health care professionals who monitor your overall health and help coordinate the care you get from other providers.
• Rehabilitation therapists: Physical, occupational and speech therapists support your movement, speech and daily activities.
• Mental health professionals: Counselors, therapists and others who provide emotional and psychological support.
• MS nurses or case managers: Providers who coordinate your care and answer your questions.

Looking ahead

While there’s currently no cure for MS, research is advancing quickly. New treatments are becoming available that give people better ways to manage their symptoms and stay independent. Many people with MS continue to work, raise families, travel and live full lives.

For more information about the latest treatment options for multiple sclerosis, reach out to an expert at Banner Health.

What does daily life with multiple sclerosis look like? Learn more about living with MS.