Immunomodulatory drugs are Disease Modifying Drugs(DMDs), which alter the course of the disease.
Treatments for MS have been considerably advanced by the availability of Disease Modifying Drugs. Positive outcomes in people with relapsing forms of the disease have been demonstrated, including:
- reduction in the frequency and severity of relapses; and
- reduction of brain lesion development, as evidenced by Magnetic Resonance Imaging, (MRI), and (for some DMDs) the possibility of future disability.
As the name suggests, immunomodulatory drugs ‘modulate’, i.e. change, the disordered immune processes of MS, and have a corrective effect on the immune system. Interferons belong to this group of drugs.
Interferons are small soluble proteins or glycoproteins that, as ‘messenger substances’, modulate immune responses.
Read more about Interferons and the role they play in treating MS.
Recent results from clinical studies indicate that therapy should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis.
Dosage and route of administration of current available immunomodulatory drugs
Proprietary name | Rebif® | Avonex® | Betaseron® | Copaxone® |
International
non-proprietary name | Interferon beta-1a | Interferon beta-1a | Interferon beta-1b | Glatiramer Acetate |
Delivery systems | Ready to use Pre-filled syringe | Reconstitution needed | Reconstitution needed | Ready to use pre-filled syringe |
Available dosage | 22 mcg three times a week or 44 mcg three times a week | 30 mcg once a week | 0.25 mg every other day | 20 mg daily |
Route of administration | Subcutaneous injection | Intramuscular injection | Subcutaneous injection | Subcutaneous injection |
