Infusion Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Infusion treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have come a long way in recent years, with more options available now than ever before. Among those is MS infusion therapy, providing a great alternative to traditional oral medications.
Discover what medical infusion therapy is available for those with MS with this helpful guide assembled by the highly experienced team at LUX Infusion.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling autoimmune disease that hinders the ability to pass information between the brain and the body. The disease attacks the protective cover of the nerves (myelin), severely damaging nerve tissues across the body’s entire central nervous system.
Incurable and progressively debilitating, MS can cause chronic pain and several disabling symptoms, which commonly include:
Muscle spasms
Fatigue
Dizziness
Mood changes
Lack of coordination and immobility
Limb weakness or numbness
Slurred speech
Tremors
Tingling, electric “shocks,” or pain in different areas of the body
Various vision problems, including blurry vision, partial or total vision loss, and/or extended periods of double vision
The cause of MS is still unknown, but we do know that the onset is typically after an event that triggers the immune system to attack the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.
Most people are diagnosed between ages 20-50, but research now supports upwards of 10,000 children under the age of 18 years old living with MS worldwide.
Depending on the course of disease in relation to when diagnosis occurs and treatment begins, it is possible for patients with MS to achieve remission, a period of time without significant symptoms or disease progression.
Treating Multiple Sclerosis
The priority when treating MS is pain reduction and limiting disability progression. Corticosteroids are commonly used to help reduce inflammation that is caused by MS.
There are also several types of oral medications that can be prescribed to help prevent relapses and slow down disease progression.
However, if the body fails to respond to oral therapy, there are some cutting-edge biological infusion medications that are often recommended.
Why Infusion Therapy for MS?
Infusion therapy delivers the drug directly into the patient’s bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) catheter and is often preferred over oral drugs in terms of effectiveness and predictability.
Patients tend to report more immediate symptom relief compared to oral medications.
These infusions help to reduce relapses, as well as improve the quality of life and disability progression in patients.
Although these infusions can be administered in hospital settings, many patients find it far more comfortable, convenient, and cost-effective to undergo this therapy at outpatient infusion clinics, like LUX Infusion.
What Medications Are Available for MS Infusion Treatment?
LUX Infusion offers the following biological infusion medications for our MS patients:
OCREVUS infusions: Potentially slowing nerve damage and reducing relapses, OCREVUS (Ocrelizumab) is generally prescribed for relapsing forms of MS and primary progressive MS in adults.
OCREVUS infusions tend to last about 2 to 4 hours, with the first and second infusion treatments administered about 2 weeks apart. After that, treatments should be administered about once every 6 months.
Tysabri infusions: As another MS infusion treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, Tysabri (Natalizumab) is usually prescribed for clinically isolated MS, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary progressive disease.
Tysabri infusions for MS typically last about 1 hour, with an additional 1-hour observation period required during the first 12 months of therapy. These treatments should typically be on a 4-to-6-week schedule.
Briumvi infusions: As the first and only approved anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of MS, Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy) can be prescribed to treat isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary progressive MS.
Please note that while our infusion clinics in Fairbanks, Palmer, and Anchorage, AK, does not currently offer Briumvi infusion treatments for MS, the LUX Infusion team has been trained to provide Briumvi to our community.
Please be aware that new medications for MS infusion may be approved and available in the future.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of MS Infusion?
While MS infusion treatments are generally safe and approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they do come with some risk of side effects, with most being minor, treatable, and fleeting.
In rare cases, severe complications may develop.
Potential side effects of MS infusion treatments can include (and are not limited to):
Fatigue
Flushing
Hives or rash
Increased heart rate
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Throat swelling, pain, or irritation
Severe allergic reactions — Anaphylaxis is rare and associated with many drugs, not just those used in MS infusion treatments. Our team is fully prepared to spot and immediately address the signs of anaphylaxis.
At LUX Infusion, our team carefully monitors all infusion patients to ensure the safest delivery of medications possible and are equipped to handle a range of infusion-related events from mild drug reactions to anaphylaxis.
What Should I Expect During My MS Infusion Appointment?
Typically, the MS infusion process starts with a referral from your treating physician or healthcare provider.
The LUX Infusion team will work with your provider to obtain Prior Authorization (PA) and copay Assistance that may be available. Typical PA for a MS medication is usually 5 to 10 days. Time is needed to process all requirements for these biologics and copay programs.
Then, on the day of your appointment:
Our friendly staff will greet you as soon as you enter our facilities, checking you in and providing you with any remaining paperwork.
The infusion nurse will then seat you in a comfortable, heated massage recliner.
MS infusion treatment begins with a nurse taking your vital signs, performing an assessment, and briefly explaining the process, so you know what to expect.
You will be offered a heated blanket, as well as your choice of beverage, snacks, and entertainment.
The OCREVUS infusion or Tysabri infusion will then be administered, with your nurse carefully monitoring you to ensure the treatment goes smoothly.
The LUX Infusion team will monitor you following your MS infusion per medication recommendations to ensure toleration of the medication.
