• The Four Types of MS
• The Importance of Early Treatment
• Treatments

Before being officially diagnosed with MS, patients usually experience a first neurologic event suggestive of MS, defined as Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS). It lasts for at least 24 hours with symptoms and signs indicating either a single lesion (monofocal) or more than one lesion (multifocal) within the central nervous system.¹

There are four types of multiple sclerosis (MS). They're named according to the way the disease acts on the body over time.²

The Four Types of MS

There are four types of multiple sclerosis (MS), named according to the way the disease acts on the body over time:

• Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS). This is the most common form of multiple sclerosis. About 75% to 85% of people with MS are initially diagnosed with RRMS. People with RRMS have temporary periods called relapses, flare-ups or exacerbations, when new symptoms appear. Relapses typically last a few days or weeks. At other times, the symptoms seem to disappear and this is called a remission; however, MS is still active and can progress. Damage to nerves can still occur even though there are no symptoms.²
• Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS). In SPMS symptoms worsen more steadily over time, with or without the occurrence of relapses and remissions. Before disease-modifying therapies became available, historical studies indicated that about 50% of people with RRMS progressed to SPMS approximately 10 years after their first diagnosis. Long-term data are not yet available to determine if treatment significantly delays this transition.²
• Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS). This type of MS is not very common, occurring in about 10% of people with MS. PPMS is characterized by slowly worsening symptoms from the beginning, with no relapses or remissions.²
• Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS). A rare form of MS (5%), PRMS is characterized by a steadily worsening disease state from the beginning, with acute relapses but no remissions, with or without recovery²

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The Importance of Early Treatment

If you are diagnosed with MS or a first-time MS event, you should consider talking about starting treatment as soon as possible with your healthcare team. Researchers have found that MS often causes more damage in the first year than in years 5-10.³

Learn more about Symptoms & Diagnosis.

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MS Treatments

While there is currently no cure for MS, there are various MS disease-modifying treatments for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis that may decrease the severity and frequency of flare-ups, and slow disease progression. Some treatments use an injection -- either subcutaneous (under the skin) or intramuscular (into the muscle) -- while others are given intraveniously:⁴

• Beta interferons are used for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS. Certain beta interferon products also may be used for a first clinical episode if MRI findings consistent with MS are also seen.
• Glatiramer acetate is used for treatment of relapsing-remitting MS. It is also used for patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI findings consistent with MS.
• Mitoxantrone is used for the treatment of worsening relapsing-remitting MS and for progressive-relapsing or secondary-progressive MS.
• Natalizumab is used for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS as a monotherapy (not used in combination with any other disease-modifying medication).

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