Prednisone and methylprednisone are both administered orally. They follow a treatment that relies on a high dose of intravenous methylprednisone for about four days during the attack of MS (IV treatment).
The purpose of corticosteroids use
The medicines of this class are very effective against acute attacks of MS and acute optic neuritis problems.
Efficiency
Corticosteroids decrease the severity and frequency of MS symptoms and drive to a more rapid recovery, but they were not proved to stop or diminish the progress of the disease.
In case of optic neuritis attack, IV methylprednisone is the first step of the treatment. Then, oral administration of prednisone follows; used alone, this medicine can increase the probability of another optic neuritis episode.
Side effects
On short term, corticoids generate a small number of side effects. some of these are:
* - Insomnia
* - Agitation and anxiety
* - Depression.
Once the treatment is interrupted, so are the side effects.
High doses or long term treatment involving corticosteroids generate much more severe side effects:
* - Face swelling and weight gain
* - Diabetes or other blood sugar problems
* - Osteoporosis
* - Hypertension
* - Cataracts
* - Stomach and intestinal bleedings
* - Decreased resistance to infections
* - Paranoia, psychosis and serious agitation
* - The death of the tissue of bones because of insufficient blood supply
These effects rightfully worry people with frequent attacks of MS, that desperately need them.
General information
Corticosteroids that are administered intravenously (the IV treatment) have less side effects and act more rapidly than the oral forms. However, the treatment with IV methylprednisone is often effectively followed by the one using oral methylprednisone. The doses are gradually reduced by the end of the treatment to encourage the organism's own production of corticosteroids.
One disadvantage of this treatment is that it doesn't suit every person that needs it. In some of the cases, long term use determines an efficiency loss.
New Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease that attacks the body's central nervous system. These can lead to a number of physical and neurological symptoms that can be debilitating and frightening to the patient. While there is not yet a cure, significant advances have been made in multiple sclerosis treatment. In this article, we'll explore a variety of treatments and help you decide which is best for you.
Before you speak to your doctor about multiple sclerosis treatment, prepare a list of questions beforehand and take notes about the responses. For each drug option, find out how effective it is, how it is administered and how often, and what the potential side effects are. Because MS is a chronic disease, you will need to use the medication for a long time. You should be comfortable with any multiple sclerosis therapy that you choose.
Researchers believe that damage to the brain and spinal cord may be happening early in the development stage, before the symptoms of multiple sclerosis occur. That's why it's important to start treatment as soon as possible.
Research has shown that the progression of physical disability can be slowed if you start treatment early. Some patients choose injected therapies for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Avonex is an intramuscular injection given once a week.
This form of MS treatment is used for patients in remission to slow the accumulation of physical disability and decrease the frequency attacks. Depression or feelings of sadness are a common side effect of Avonex.
Rebif is another injectable treatment that is administered three times a week and includes a naturally occurring human protein. It has the same effect as Avonex. Other similar injected treatments include Betaseron and Copaxone.
Infusion therapies for symptoms of MS may be an option for patients who are having an inadequate response to their current treatment or are having issues with side effects. These medications are administered directly into the bloodstream through a vein to help stop inflammation and prevent further damage.
Ask your doctor or nurse if infusion therapy may be right for you, as well what the latest infusion therapies are, and what the most important information is that you should know. In addition to medication, you may also want to consider making lifestyle changes. Diet, exercise and other changes can help you manage multiple sclerosis symptoms.
If you've been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, then you should talk to your doctor about which multiple sclerosis treatment is right for you. Some of the most common side effects of drug therapy include fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches and tiredness.
For many people, these symptoms lessen or go away over time. Talk to your doctor if these symptoms continue longer than the first few months of therapy, or if they are difficult to manage.
Both Tobias Higgens & Mike Selvon are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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