Taking Medication for MS
About twenty years ago, there were no disease-modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis. The only defense against the "monster" was steroid treatment. Well-known people such as Annette Funicello and Richard Prior had no active defense against MS. In the early 90's, Betaseron was released as the first disease-modifying drug, giving thousands of people hope. Other "interferon" drugs were released in this decade, but one medication, Copaxone, was different. Copaxone gave people who could not tolerate the flu-like side-effects of interferons a choice.
Overview
Copaxone is a synthetic compound that is used to fight multiple sclerosis. It is one of the disease-modifying medications currently on the market, or one of the "CRAB" drugs---Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron. Out of these medications, Copaxone is the only one which is not an interferon, which is naturally derived. Copaxone is a synthetic compound called glatiramer acetate which is made up of amino acids. These amino acids are thought to keep the body's T cells from attacking the myelin-covered nerves. This drug is approximately 30% effective in protecting against MS attacks, which is roughly the same as most of the other CRAB drugs.
Usage/ Side-effects
Copaxone is injected subcutaneously (just under the skin) every day. Syringes are prefilled and refrigerated prior to use. Side-effects include injection site reactions (redness, pain, swelling), possible fatigue, weight gain, and anxiety after injection (less common.) Copaxone does not generally cause the flu-like side-effects that interferon drugs may produce, so it seems to be a good choice for those who cannot tolerate the other CRAB drugs. Copaxone also does not seem to cause depression, which can also be experienced with interferons.
Conclusion
Multiple sclerosis can be managed with disease-modifying drugs. These CRAB medications are not for all forms of MS; they might not have an affect on primary progressive or secondary progressive varieties. For those with relapsing/remitting MS, disease-modifying medications can slow the progression of the disease. Copaxone is an alternative medication which doesn't produce flu-like side-effects, giving active people a choice in their treatment. For further reference: www.nmss.org/Meds
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