Effective oral pills for Multiple Sclerosis but…!
January 21, 2010 – 4:32 am
A recent study reveals that two oral drugs may have promise for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, experts warn that the drugs do possess potent side effects which may be lethal.
More than 2.5 million individuals worldwide have MS and there is no cure. The majority of these individuals suffer from speech, memory, balance, gait and other neurological problems which get severe with time. The study showed that both drugs can decrease severity of symptoms and reduce relapses.
However, both drugs were found to suppress the immune system, making the individuals prone to herpes infections. In one study two people died of uncontrolled herpes infections.
All the current treatments for MS involve injections so the pills are appealing. The two pills, cladribine and fingolimod, did work well but the side effects are of concern.
Most experts feel that these drugs will not be used widely until their side effects are better understood. Physicians should note that in 2004, Tysabri, a drug to treat MS caused dangerous brain inflammation and was pulled from the market.
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Tags: cladribine, fingolimod, multiple sclerosis
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