Disease-modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis in clinical practice

There now are six approved disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) available to treat relapsingremitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): interferon β-1b (IFN-β-1b, Betaseron®), interferon β-1a by intramuscular injection (IFN-β-1a (IM), Avonex®), IFN-β-1a by subcutaneous injection (IFN-β-1a (SC), Rebif®), glatiramer acetate (GA, Copaxone®), mitoxantrone (Novantrone®) and natalizumab (Tysabri®) (Table 42.1). In addition, there are a large number of other agents that are used offlabel alone or in combination to treat MS.