Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are usually the first-line treatment for MS. These medications decrease the number and severity of immune system attacks and slow the natural progression of the disease.
There are multiple DMTs available, and they can be taken in different ways—by mouth, as a shot, or through an intravenous (IV) line in your vein. Since there is no standard guideline or algorithm for starting one DMT over another, selecting a drug when diagnosed with MS can be a challenging task.
This article reviews how people with MS and their healthcare team go about choosing a DMT. It also discusses how a person’s response to that drug is carefully monitored.
Initial Treatment for MS
Most people with MS are initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). With RRMS, patients experience relapses followed by periods of recovery, called remission.
In addition to RRMS, most DMTs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following types of MS:
Active secondary progressive MS: The person experiences worsening symptoms and disability over time, in addition to occasional relapses. Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS): The person experiences their first episode of neurological symptoms. They may or may not go on to develop MS.
When choosing among the DMT options, neurologists (specialists in conditions affecting the nervous system) and the people they treat consider several factors like the drug’s safety profile, level of effectiveness, cost, and route of administration.
How active the person’s disease is and their preference and lifestyle factors (e.g., desire for pregnancy or breastfeeding) are also considered.
After careful thought and discussion, one of the following three treatment approaches is generally followed:
Starting a highly effective DMTStarting a low-risk DMTStarting an oral DMT
Highly Effective DMTs
Research suggests that monoclonal antibodies are highly effective in reducing the number of MS relapses a person may experience.
Monoclonal antibodies work by targeting specific cells or markers within the immune system. They are generally selected for patients who experience frequent relapses and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions (areas of inflammation).
The following monoclonal antibodies may be prescribed as first-line treatments for MS:
Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is an infusion given every six months. Tysabri (natalizumab) is an infusion given every 28 days. Kesimpta (ofatumumab) is an injectable medication given underneath the skin (subcutaneously) once per week for three weeks, followed by a one-week break, and then once a month after that.
While monoclonal antibodies may offer you the best chances of keeping your MS at bay, they carry an increased risk of more worrisome side effects, including serious infections or cancer.
For example, Tysabri increases your risk of developing a rare but potentially fatal brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is caused by the reactivation of the John Cunningham (JC) virus.
Since your risk of developing PML increases if you are positive for antibodies against the JC virus (indicating a prior infection), your neurologist will order a blood test to check you for anti-JCV antibodies before starting the drug and every six months afterward.
Positive anti-JCV antibodies may warrant discontinuation of the drug.
Likewise, with Ocrevus, there is an increased risk of serious skin infections and cancer, including breast cancer. There is also a reported case of PML in a 78-year-old man with progressive MS treated with Ocrevus.
Lastly, another possible downside of monoclonal antibodies is that some people may not want to undergo infusions or injections, perhaps because of inconvenience or a fear of needles.
Low-Risk DMTs
DMTs considered of low risk in causing serious side effects include Copaxone and Glatopa (glatiramer acetate) and the beta interferon drugs (e.g., Avonex, Rebif, Betaseron, Extavia, and Plegridy).
Copaxone and Glatopa are injected subcutaneously either every day or every three days (a higher dose is used).
Beta interferon drugs are administered in the following manner:
Avonex is injected intramuscularly (into a muscle) once a week. Betaseron and Extavia are injected subcutaneously every other day. Rebif is injected subcutaneously three times a week. Plegridy is injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly every 14 days.
While these injectable DMTs have a long-term history of being safe, research suggests they may not be as effective in reducing relapses.
The injectable DMTs also require that you (or a loved one) give yourself a shot. This may be a problem for some people.
Oral DMTs
Oral DMTs are usually preferred by people with MS who cannot tolerate injectable or infused DMTs. They are generally considered intermediate in terms of safety and effectiveness.
Oral DMTs include:
Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate), Vumerity (diroximel fumarate), and Bafiertam (monomethyl fumarate) are chemically similar pills taken twice daily. They are believed to have antioxidant properties and alter the immune system in such a way that protects nerve cells from damage. Gilyena (fingolimod), Mayzent (siponimod), and Zeposia (ozanimod) are similar drugs taken once a day. They work by trapping certain white blood cells in your lymph nodes, preventing them from launching attacks within your brain and spinal cord. Aubagio (teriflunomide) is taken once daily and works by blocking the action of certain immune system cells involved in MS.
How to Tell If Treatment Is Working
After starting a DMT, you will see your neurologist every three to six months or so to ensure that your medication is working well and safely for you.
During your appointments, your neurologist will monitor you for new relapses by performing a neurological examination and asking you about any new or worsening symptoms like fatigue, pain, or problems with balance or walking.
They may also evaluate whether your disease has progressed by asking you questions using a tool called the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Periodic MRIs are also performed to see if you are developing new lesions, regardless of whether or not you are having symptoms.
When to Talk to Your Neurologist
Contact your neurologist if you are experiencing new or recurring neurological symptoms for at least 24 hours. You may be having a relapse or a pseudo-relapse (temporary worsening of symptoms caused by external factors, like heat or infection).
If you are experiencing relapses on your new DMT, your neurologist may consider switching you to a different DMT.
Be sure to also talk to your neurologist if you are experiencing bothersome side effects, or if you are experiencing a lifestyle change that may affect how you care for your MS—for example, pregnancy or a change in your insurance.
Seek medical attention right away by calling your healthcare provider or going to your nearest emergency room if your symptoms are severe and/or debilitating (e.g., severe weakness or loss of balance).
Other Treatment Options for MS
While DMTs are the mainstay of treatment for MS, a type of bone marrow transplant called autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) may be a reasonable option for people whose disease continues to be very aggressive despite the use of DMTs.
With aHSCT, a person’s immune system is “reset” using hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells taken from their own body. With a new, healthy immune system, the attacks on myelin and nerve fibers will theoretically be thwarted.
Experimental MS therapies are also being explored that help repair damaged myelin within the brain and spinal cord.
One such therapy is a mesenchymal stem cell transplant. With this transplant, stem cells are isolated from a person’s fat, skin, or bone marrow, multiplied and altered within a laboratory, and then administered back into the body.
Summary
There are no formal treatment guidelines to follow for selecting an MS disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Instead, you and your neurologist will consider multiple factors, including how active your disease is, and the individual drug’s safety profile and level of effectiveness.
After choosing and starting a DMT, your MS care team will monitor you closely for side effects. They will also keep track of your symptoms and ask you to undergo periodic MRIs in order to see how well the drug is working.
A Word From Verywell
Whether you are newly diagnosed or switching medications, starting a new DMT is no easy task. The best thing you can do is educate yourself about your options and be open and honest with your MS healthcare provider about your concerns.
You may also consider connecting with others who have taken the DMT you are starting on. Joining an MS support group like MS World or MSFriends is a good place to start.
Sometimes DMTs are considered second-line treatments because of safety concerns. This is the case with Mavenclad (cladribine) and Lemtrada (alemtuzumab).
