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What Shot is Given for MS?

Published in MS Medications 2 mins read

The question "What shot is given for MS?" is best interpreted as "What injectable medications are used to treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?". Several medications for MS are administered via injection. These include:

Injectable Medications for Multiple Sclerosis

Several injectable medications are available to treat MS, each with its own mechanism of action and administration schedule. Here is a list based on the provided references:

  • Interferon beta-1a:
    • Examples: Avonex, Rebif
    • These are immunomodulators that help reduce the frequency and severity of MS attacks.
  • Interferon beta-1b:
    • Examples: Betaseron, Extavia
    • Similar to interferon beta-1a, this medication helps to modify the immune system's response.
  • Glatiramer acetate:
    • Examples: Copaxone, Glatopa
    • This medication is believed to work by modifying the immune response to myelin.
  • Peginterferon beta-1a:
    • Example: Plegridy
    • A modified form of interferon beta-1a, designed for less frequent injections.
  • Ofatumumab
    • Example: Kesimpta
    • This is a monoclonal antibody that targets specific immune cells involved in MS.

Table of Injectable Medications for MS

Medication Name Brand Names Type
Interferon beta-1a Avonex, Rebif Immunomodulator
Interferon beta-1b Betaseron, Extavia Immunomodulator
Glatiramer acetate Copaxone, Glatopa Immunomodulator
Peginterferon beta-1a Plegridy Immunomodulator
Ofatumumab Kesimpta Monoclonal Antibody

Other Forms of Treatment

It is important to note that besides injections, other treatments for MS include:

  • Infusions: Some medications like alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), mitoxantrone hydrochloride, natalizumab (Tysabri), and ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) are administered intravenously.
  • Oral medications: Several oral therapies are also available, offering alternatives to injections or infusions.

Therefore, while there is not one "shot" for MS, several injectable medications are used as part of the treatment strategies, tailored to individual patient needs.

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