Treatment
Treatment for multiple sclerosis varies. The goals of treatment are to improve the quality of life by relieving symptoms caused by exacerbations (called palliative treatment), slowing the course of the disease as much as possible, and providing psychological support.
In general, starting treatment early in the course of the disease and continuing treatment indefinitely is thought to provide the most benefit. Health care providers and patients should make treatment decisions together.
Palliative Treatment
Corticosteroids are typically prescribed to treat exacerbations of MS. Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol®) is be administered through an IV (intravenously) for 2–7 days, followed by a course of prednisone. Prednisone (Deltasone®) may be given for 10 days then the dosage is gradually reduced over 3 weeks and stopped.
Corticosteroids are usually well tolerated. Side effects include the following:
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)
- High or low levels of sodium in the blood (hyper- or hyponatremia)
- Increased risk for infection
- Low level of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia)
- Personality changes (e.g., mood swings)
- Stomach ulcer
- Swelling (edema) caused by fluid retention
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 01 Jan 2000
Reviewed by: Jean-Raphael Schneider, M.D., Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 23 Apr 2008
Multiple Sclerosis, Treatment, Palliative Treatment reprinted with permission from neurologychannel.com
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