MS treatment information sheets

Disease-modifying therapies are medications that your neurologist may prescribe to treat MS. Disease-modifying therapies work with different parts of the immune system to reduce the inflammation caused by MS to nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This can help reduce the number and severity of relapses and some of these medications have been shown to delay progression of MS. You can find out more about these medications by downloading our fact sheets and speaking with your neurologist.

Betaferon (interferon beta-1b)

• Can reduce the frequency of relapses and delay the progression of MS.
• Stimulates the immune system, reducing attacks on myelin (protective layer of nerves) or nerves.
• Taken as an injection every second day.
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Betaferon page.

Copaxone (glatiramer acetate)

• Can be used to stop the body from attacking myelin (the protective layer of nerves).
• Can reduce the frequency of relapses and delay the progression of the condition.
• Taken three times a week (40 milligrams per dose).
• The pre-filled pen is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Copaxone page.

Gilenya (fingolimod)

• Prevents white blood cells (called lymphocytes) from reaching the central nervous system, which reduces damage to the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
• This can reduce the frequency of relapses and delay the progression of MS.
• Taken daily as a tablet.
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Gilenya page.

Kesimpta (ofatumumab)

• Can reduce the frequency of relapses and delay the progression of MS.
• It binds to B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) that makes antibodies and is a part of the immune system.
• A self-administered injection that’s usually in the thigh, upper outer arm or the stomach.
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Kesimpta page.

Lemtrada (alemtuzumab)

• Helps the immune system by preventing damage to lymphocytes (white blood cells) and repopulating them.
• This can reduce the frequency of relapses and delay the progression of MS.
• Taken as an intravenous infusion (medication is delivered as a fluid directly into the bloodstream).
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Lemtrada page.

MAVENCLAD (cladribine tablets)

• Can reduce inflammation in the nervous system that’s caused by MS.
• Used to treat people with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
• MAVENCLAD can reduce the number of destructive immune cells in circulation, which can slow down or stop the immune system attacking itself.
• Taken as tablets over two treatment weeks.
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's MAVENCLAD page.

Mayzent (Siponimod)

• Used to treat adults with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).
• It binds to S1P receptors on the surface of lymphocytes (white blood cells), to reduce the amount that reach the brain, which could otherwise lead the immune system to attack itself.
• By binding to S1P receptors on certain brain cells, it can also slow down or repair damage from MS.
• Taken as a tablet once a day.
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Mayzent page.

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)

• Used to treat people with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS).
• Can reduce inflammation and attacks in the nervous system that are caused by MS.
• Taken as an intravenous infusion (medication is delivered as a fluid directly into the bloodstream).
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for RRMS only, not available for PPMS.
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Ocrevus page.

Plegridy (pegylated interferon beta 1a)

• Interferons are proteins naturally found in the body that help fight infections and regulate the immune system.
• Plegridy can help regulate the immune system, reducing attacks on nerves or myelin – the protective layer around nerves.
• Injected once every two weeks.
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Plegridy page.

Rebif (interferon beta 1a)

• Interferons are proteins naturally found in the body that help fight infections and regulate the immune system.
• Rebif can help regulate the immune system, reducing attacks on myelin – the protective layer around nerves in the central nervous system.
• Taken as an injection three times a week.
• Has been removed from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Teriflunomide

• Can reduce the frequency of relapses and delay the progression of MS.
• Stimulates the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Taken as an oral tablet.
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• Previously known to the Australian community as Aubagio.
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Teriflunomide page.

Tysabri (natalizumab)

• An antibody that’s similar to ones found naturally in the body, which locks onto certain immune cells called T-cells.
• Once locked on, they can’t cross the blood brain barrier to attack the myelin (protective layer around nerves) or nerves.
• Used to treat people with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
• Taken as an intravenous infusion (medication is delivered as a fluid directly into the bloodstream) once every 28 days.
• Has been given a positive recommendation from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) and is expected to be on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from early 2024.
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Tysabri page.

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate)

• Used to treat people with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
• Can reduce inflammation and protect the brain and spinal cord from damage caused by MS.
• Taken as an oral tablet once daily for 7 days, then twice daily from then onwards.
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Tecfidera page.

Vumerity (diroximel fumarate)

• Used to treat people with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
• Taken as a tablet twice daily.
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Vumerity page.

Zeposia (Ozanimod)

• Used to treat people with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
• Can stop certain white blood cells reaching the brain, spine and optic nerve, where they can cause damage and inflammation.
• Taken as a tablet once daily.
• Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Zeposia page.

Botox (botulinum toxin type A)

• Can be used to relax the muscles.
• Is often used to treat people experiencing muscle spasticity in one specific region of the body or for urinary incontinence.
• Injected directly into the muscle for spasticity.
• Injected into the bladder wall for incontinence.
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Botox page.

Fampyra (fampridine)

• Can be used to improve walking and movement in adults with MS.
• It’s a potassium chain blocker, which is thought to let signals pass through the nerves more normally.
• Taken as a tablet.
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Fampyra page.

Sativex (nabiximols)

• Made from cannabis extracts called cannabinoids.
• Used to treat muscle stiffness (spasticity) in MS when other medicines haven’t worked.
• Taken as a mouth spray.
• This information was sourced from MS Australia's Sativex page.

MS Australia has a summary of DMT treatments available in Australia.

This page has been reviewed and approved by Executive Manager Client Engagement and Wellbeing Jodi Haartsen. Jodi is a registered MS Nurse who has helped thousands of patients over her 20 years’ experience at Eastern Health MS service in Australia, in several roles including nurse educator, research nurse and nurse practitioner. Jodi is the 2022 winner of the global MS Brain Health Leader Award in the Independent Healthcare Professionals category.