Managing MS

MS Treatments

At this time there is no cure for MS. Treatment involves managing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis as well as treating the disease. Treatment may include medications, physical and occupational therapy and experimental therapies. There are many drugs available that can help to relieve the effects and symptoms of the disease. Your Doctor is the best source to advise you as to what treatment(s) is best for you.

Some of the more common (MS) medications are listed below :

• Avonex (interferon beta-1a)
• Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)
• Copaxone (glatiramer acetate)
• Extavia (interferon beta-1b)
• Novantrone (mitoxantrone)
• Rebif (interferon beta-1a)
• Tysabri (natalizumab)
• Corticosteroids
• Gilenya(fingolimod) 

Financial assistance is available 

MS prescription medications can cost upwards from $9,000 a year. Here are the names of medications and their manufacturers who can help to provide financial support when needed.

 Avonex (interferon beta-1a) - The Avonex support line is (800) 456-2255. The support staff can help you find solutions to help cover the cost.

Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) - The Betaseron Foundation was created 5 years ago to give access to people who might otherwise could not afford treatment. The Betaseron support line is (800) 788-1467.

Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) -  Copaxpne is marketed by Teva Marion Partners. Teva Marion Partners created Shared Solutions, which operates a toll-free hot line (800) 887-8100. The support staff can help you find solutions to help cover the cost.

Extavia (interferon beta-1b) - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation produces Extavia, which is the same medicinal interferon beta-1b product as Betaseron®.  Novartis has information lines for anyone who has questions about Extavia. Members of the MS community may call (866) 925-2333 to learn more.
 

 
If you need more financial assistance with your medication, please visit www.freemedicinefoundation.com

Fingolimod (FTY720): is an investigational, oral medication taken daily for the long-term treatment of MS. Studies are now being conducted with relapsing-remitting as well as primary-progressive types of MS. Its parent company is Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.FDA Approved September 22, 2010

Avanir Pharmaceuticals: has been conducting trials with their investigational drug, Zenvia™ (dextromethorphan/quinidine), for the treatment of PBA. Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a neurological condition characterized by uncontrolled, inappropriate, and/or exaggerated episodes of crying, laughing, or other emotional display, occurring with only minimal or no stimulation to invoke such a response. Please read my blog http://blog.dconnections.org/ to discuss this topic; or to learn more about the PBA affect, please visit their web site www.pbainfo.org  

ClinicalTrials.gov is a registry of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world. ClinicalTrials.gov gives you information about a trial's purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details visit them at   http://clinicaltrials.gov/