Multiple Sclerosis Medications (Cont.)

Multiple Sclerosis Treatments

Multiple Sclerosis Medications: Novantrone

Novantrone (mitoxantrone) is approved for people with secondary-progressive MS or those with rapidly worsening relapsing-remitting MS. This cancer chemotherapy drug is given in a medical facility.

By suppressing the immune system, the drug may reduce new lesions, decrease relapses, and slow down the rate of disability.

Because of the serious side effect of heart damage, Novantrone is restricted to use in an individual no more than four times a year for up to three years.

(Click MS Medications to Manage MS Symptoms for more information on multiple sclerosis medications used to treat MS symptoms.)

FDA-Approved Drugs for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

The following table provides information on drugs approved for use as multiple sclerosis medications.

Brand Name	Generic Name	Manufacturer/ Distributor and Year of FDA Approval	Indication (From FDA-Approved Labeling)	Frequency of Injection
Betaseron	interferon beta-1b	Berlex Laboratories Inc., 1993	Relapsing forms of MS	Every other day
Avonex	interferon beta-1a	Biogen Idec, 1996	Relapsing forms of MS	Once a week
Copaxone	glatiramer acetate	TEVA Neuroscience Inc., 1996	Relapsing forms of MS	Every day
Novantrone	mitoxantrone	Serono Inc., 2000	Worsening relapsing-remitting MS and progressive-relapsing or secondary-progressive MS	Four times a year; lifetime limit of 8-12 doses
Rebif	interferon beta-1a	Serono Inc., 2002	Relapsing forms of MS	Three times a week
Tysabri	natalizumab	Biogen Idec and Elan, 2004; marketing suspended Feb. 28, 2005, due to reports of two serious adverse events	Relapsing forms of MS	Every four weeks

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

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