At present, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis. Yet, research is going on and tests have been made to tackle this disorder. The FDA has approved about a dozen medicines that can modify the course of multiple sclerosis and slow down its progression. These medicines help to lessen the symptoms, keeping the disease from getting worse and also helping to make relapse attacks less frequent.

These medicines can be taken in the form of pills, injections, or infusions through a vein. Most of the medications available are for the most common type of MS (relapsing-remitting MS, orRRMS). Only two medicines treat more advanced forms of multiple sclerosis, such as Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS), Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS), and Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS):

1. Interferon-beta (Avonex, Betaseron, Extavia)
These types of medicines are most widely prescribed for MS and have been in the market for a long time. These medicines are made with living cells and are the lab-made version of the body’s infection-fighting protein. It is said that Interferon Betas put off signals in the body that trigger the autoimmune response that leads to multiple sclerosis. It can be taken by injection on alternate days or once a week. Possible side effects are headache, flu-like symptoms and sometimes liver problems.

2. Glatiramer Acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa)
This medicine is an artificially made protein to protect against cells that damage myelin. Relapses are lesser while consuming this medicine. It can be injected once a day or three times a week. Rarely you could experience flushed skin rashes and shortness of breath.

3. Fingolimod (Gilenya)
This medicine binds to white blood cells trapping them in the lymph nodes so that they cannot damage the central nervous system. This is the first approved pill for multiple sclerosis. The medicine can be taken as one capsule a day and is not advisable for pregnant women.

4. Teriflunomide (Aubagio)
This medication helps to block an enzyme that activates white blood cells. It slows down the production of immune cells which are active when MS is damaging the nerves. It is advised to take one tablet a day. It could also cause diarrhea, nausea and thinning of hair in some cases.

5. Dimethyl Fumarate (Tecfidera)
This medicine is said to be the newest and most commonly prescribed pill. It blocks immune cells that damage the nerves and also acts as an antioxidant to help protect the brain and spinal cord. It is also used to treat psoriasis. It is advised to take one capsule twice a day. It could cause side effects like nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

6. Natalizumab (Tysabri)
This antibody medicine sticks to T cells and stops them from reaching the brain and spinal cord and attacking the protective myelin. This medicine is given by infusion once every 28 days. Common side effects are joint pain, fever, and headache.

7. Mitoxantrone (Novantrone)
This medicine is a former cancer medicine approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. It suppresses the immune system to lower the number of cells that attack the myelin. It is given as one infusion every three months. Only in severe cases, it affects the heart.