Overview of therapy for multiple sclerosis

Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) are treated with preventive immunotherapy (see c_nrg5-c27-s4.html#nrg5-c27-s4__tnrg5-c27-tbl2a), aimed at reducing inflammatory disease activity. At the time of writing, primary and secondary progressive MS do not have preventive therapies, but research is ongoing. Acute inflammatory activity that occurs despite immunotherapy is treated with corticosteroids—in atypical cases or fulminant presentations, plasma exchange may be added.

Most patients with relapsing-remitting MS start treatment with immunotherapy. However, rare and fulminant forms may need more potent treatment, including autologous stem cell transplant.