BMJ Group Medical Reference
(continued)
Treatments to help symptoms during a relapse: Treatments that are likely to work
- Steroids: These come as tablets or injections. Examples include methylprednisolone (brand names Medrone, Solu-Medrone) and prednisolone. More...
Treatments that need further study
- Plasma exchange: This treatment takes out a part of your blood that causes inflammation. More...
- Natalizumab: This medicine is usually used to prevent relapses, but it's also been tested as a way of treating symptoms during relapses. The brand name is Tysabri. More...
- Cannabis: Cannabis is usually illegal in the UK, but a spray form (brand name Sativex) is available from doctors. More...
Treatments to help tiredness: Treatments that need further study
- Amantadine: You might be treated with these capsules if your MS is making you very tired. The brand name is Symmetrel. More...
- Changing your lifestyle: This means making certain changes in everyday activities to help you have more energy. More...
- Exercise: This aims to help you feel less tired by making you fitter and stronger. More...
- Modafinil: These tablets (brand name is Provigil) may make you feel less fatigued. More...
Treatments to help muscle spasms: Treatments that need further study
- Baclofen pump: This pump is put in your back, under your skin. It pumps baclofen onto the nerves from your spinal cord. The brand name of this type of baclofen is Lioresal Intrathecal. More...
- Botulinum toxin: Injections of botulinum toxin are given into the muscles around your hip to help relax them, so you can move your legs more easily. More...
- Gabapentin: Gabapentinis an anticonvulsant drug that is normally used to treat epilepsy. Some people with MS find that it helps their pain, especially pain from muscle spasms. Its brand name is Neurontin. More...
- Medicines that relax your muscles: These include baclofen tablets (brand name Lioresal) and tizanidine tablets (brand name Zanaflex). Researchers have also looked at how cannabis can help. More...
- Physiotherapy: This therapy aims to loosen up your muscles so they're less stiff. More...
Treatment by a team of specialists: Treatments that need further study
- Rehabilitation in a clinic: This is a programme to check and treat all your symptoms during regular visits to a clinic. More...
- Rehabilitation in hospital: This is a programme to check and treat all your symptoms while you stay in hospital. More...
Other treatments
Your doctor might suggest some of the treatments listed below for MS. We haven't looked at the research on these treatments in the same detail we have the other treatments on our site. But we've included some information because you may be interested in them.You can click on the links below to find out more.
- Benzodiazepines are used for muscle spasm.
- Deep brain stimulation is used for relieving muscle twitching and shaking.
- Linoleic acid is used to slow the progress of MS.
Citations
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Last Updated: April 16, 2010
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2009. All rights reserved.