| Jelinab-mswalk.net MS treatments page 2 Non Interferon agents and others |
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| Copaxone: Also known as Glatmirer acetate is 20 mg injected daily subcutaneously. It is different from the interferon medications in that it is a polypeptide with four amino acids. It is used to suppress the immune system. It works in a unique way that when it is injected it mimicks cells infected with MS causing the body to dispatch anti bodies to the site injection. Shot site rotation is essential because of this. Shot site rotation is easy because of the fact that it is injected into fatty tissue and believe it or not even Heidi Klum has fatty tissue. It can also be used in conjunction with current interferon treatments. It can also be used in conjunction with Steroid treatments. Side Effects: Include shot site itching, burning and minor inflammation immediately after injection. Other side effects may include minor heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness,and a feeling of flushness in the face which may last from second to a few minutes immediately following injection. Then again who doesn't experience those following most any shot? There are not the reported side effect of the flu like symptoms associated with the Interferon medications. It has been shown to decrease attacks and also decrease damage to the central nervous system. There are still ongoing tests regarding whether or not patients develop interferon neutralizing anti bodies. There is also some debate as to whether it limits the amount demylination of nerves. Novantrone or Mitoxantrone:is an immuno suppressing chemo therapy drug which has been shown to be effective in treatment for aggressive forms of relapsing MS. It is given intravenously once every 3 months.It is not formally approved for treatment of Primary Progressive MS. |
| Side effects of Novantrone:Treatment with Novantrone is currently limited to 2-3 years because of its toxicity build up in the heart and heart muscles. Once Novantrone has been used it unlike the interferons or Copaxone cannot be returned to as treatment option. Shelley's neurologist had suggested it when she was had stopped responding to Copaxone alone. We opted not to because it seemed like we were calling in the closing pitcher in only the third inning of a baseball game. Patients must go thru testing of both cardiac and blood testing before and especially during treatment with this drug if there is any sign of a weakening of the heart muscles treatment with Novantrone is susended immediately. Other side effects include loss of hair, loss of bone marrow, as well as gastro intestinal effects. It may also turn urine a blue tint. I just thought I would throw that one out as it could be a party gag. Cytoxinor Cyclophosphamide:Another chemo therapy drug with immuno suppressing agents widely used in auto immune disorders. There is still some debate as to the use of Cytoxin. It is recommended for use only in people with secondary progressive MS on patients failing to respond to interferon alone. It is given intravenously over a 1 year period. It is given once a month for the first 4 months then every other month for a the next 8 months. Shelley was given Cytoxin in 1995 at the age of 29 and it was a wonder drug. Her baseline of daily activities increased energy level was up. She also underwent treatment with Cytoxin in 2001 while the results were good they were not as good as the first time. It is given intravenously Side effects of Cytoxin: A thinning of hair Shelley did not go bald ut did experience a thinning of the hair. Loss of bone marrow the usual unsettled stomach and other gastro intestinal effects which last 1-3 days following treatment. To limit the effects of the wooziness it is imperative to drink lots of fluids the 24 hours prior to treatment. Cytoxin has not been shown to have the weakening effects on heart muscles that Novantrone does. Solumedrol or Methylprednisone A Steroid given intravenously. It is used in 2 different methods. In cases of acute relapses it is given in a 3-5 day doseage once a day. In some other cases it is given intravenously once a month in conjunction with other treatment medications such as the interferons or Copaxone. It has been shown to shorten the duration of attacks. In a small study it was shown that when given in high doses once every other month there was slight effect on those suffering from secondary progressive MS. Side effects of Solumedrol:Some fo the side effects of Solumedrol are loss of bone density. There is also some debate as to whether or not Solumedrol hides new lesions on Magnetic resonance images. ( MRI) Cyclosporine: is a peptide with anti inflammatory properties which based on the results from 3 large group studies has shown some possible benefits. However due to its potential toxicity its risk to benefit ratio is considered unacceptable. Antegren Or natalizumab Or Tysabri: is currently off the market for treatment of both MS and Crohns disease. It was removed just after it had gaied FDA approval because of the unfortunate deaths of 2 patients taking it of a rare neurological disorder. New Lesion activity was reduced in test studies leading to its approval by the FDA., and there was a possible rebound rate from relapses. Side effects experienced: The side effects reported in tests were all mild consisting of nausea,headache,hives and shakiness. Alemtuzmab: is a humanized anti-leukocyte antibody.It acts on the immune system to decrease brain infalmmation and can reduce the number of relapses. Use of it is subject tosafety concerns about autoimmune thyroid conditions which have been onbserved in 30% of patients. There is a currently a clinical study in progress on both the safety and efficiency in comparison with interferon beta-1a in early relapsing remitting MS Intravenous immunoglobulins or IVIG:are currently not considered a treatment option patients. However a long term study is currently underway to see if this treatment could be helpful to interferon non responding patients Such as those on Copaxone.Studies of 4 previous tests showed some hope for slowing the progression. Shelley is due to begin this treatment starting in late July or early August 2005 so stay tuned to see how things go. Course of treatment &Side Effects of IVIG : IVIG is has been used in treatment of autoimmune disorders for the past 20 years such as myasthenia gravis. It seems to affect the function of or production of anti bodies. IVIG is a human blood product coming from multiple donors who are carefully screened and the processing of IVIG inactivates such infections as HIV,Hepatitis B and C. IVIG is given intravenously 4 to 5 days straight intitially followed by monthly infusions. Side effects that may occur: headache, chills, and aches during the infusion slowing the infusion and some medicines may be helpful in relieving those symptoms Fever fatigue and nausea may persist up to 24 hours following infusions. Blood flow and blood clotting may also be a side effect of IVIG. IVIG is expensive and currently not approved in the treatment of MS so there may be issues with insurance companies covering its use. Plasma exchange: is recommended for patients with MS which is persistent such as Secondary progressive MS or progressive MS, severe neurological deficits and not responding to steroid treatments. The exchange technique removes anti bodies mechanically from the patient. The treatment has to be repeated periodically as antibodies reform. 2 clinical studies have shown improvements in about 40% of patients after treatment. |
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