Keeping multiple sclerosis in check – disease-modifying therapies

A disease-modifying immune therapy should be implemented already upon diagnosis of a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), at the very latest, however, at the time of diagnosis of a clinically definite MS. The goal of an early as possible therapy begin is to prevent further relapses, slow disease progression and thus the development of permanent neurological deficits.

For basis therapy

• interferon beta and
• glatiramer acetate

are the first drugs of choice. Second to these, a drug which can be used in individual cases of clinically definite MS, is

• azathioprine

To test the effectiveness and tolerability of the therapeutic measures it is recommended that regular control examinations be performed.

Interferon beta and glatiramer acetate are generally used for long-term treatment.