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Chapter 23. Drugs for Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder that damages the myelin sheath of neurons in the CNS Exact cause is unknown MS causes a wide variety of sensory and motor deficits
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Chapter 23 Drugs for Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) • Chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder that damages the myelin sheath of neurons in the CNS • Exact cause is unknown • MS causes a wide variety of sensory and motor deficits • Most patients experience periods of acute clinical exacerbations (relapses) alternating with periods of complete or partial recovery (remissions) • Over time, symptoms usually grow progressively worse.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) • Primary pathology of MS • Inflammation mechanism • Initiation of the autoimmune process • After an acute attack • Myelin sheaths of peripheral neurons
Drug Therapy for MS • 1993: dramatic change occurred • First disease-modifying agent approved • Now disease progression can be slowed, frequency and intensity of relapses decreased, and permanent neurologic loss delayed • Early treatment increases the chances of significantly improving prognosis.
Subtypes of MS • Relapsing-remitting MS • Secondary progressive MS • Primary progressive MS • Progressive-relapsing MS
Signs and Symptoms of MS • Symptoms vary depending on where CNS demyelination occurs and the size of the region of demyelination. • Paresthesias • Muscle or motor problems • Visual impairment • Bladder and bowel symptoms • Sexual dysfunction • Disabling fatigue • Emotional lability • Depression
Diagnostic Tools for MS • Diagnosis of MS • Diagnostic criteria: 1965, 2001, 2005, 2010 • MRI • CSF testing • Visual evoked potential (VEP)
Fig. 23-1. Symptom patterns that define the four subtypes of MS.
Drug Therapy for MS • Disease-modifying therapy • Not a cure, but a delay and a decrease in intensity and frequency • Immunomodulators and immunosuppressants
Drug Therapy for MS • Relapsing-remitting MS • This type benefits the most from therapy. • Treatment should begin as soon as diagnosed and should continue indefinitely. • All patients (regardless of age) should receive immunomodulators. • Interferon beta-1a (Avonex) • Interferon beta-1a (Rebif) • Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron) • Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) • Natalizumab (Tysabril)
Drug Therapy for MS • Secondary progressive MS • Interferon beta • Mitoxantrone • Primary progressive MS • No drugs have shown effectiveness • Promising studies (methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide) • Progressive-relapsing MS • Mitoxantrone
Drug Therapy for MS • Treating an acute episode (relapse) • Short course of high-dose IV glucocorticoid • IV gamma globulin • Drug therapy of symptoms • All four subtypes have the same symptoms
Disease-Modifying Drugs I: Immunomodulators • Seven immunomodulators currently available • Four preparation of interferon beta • All except natalizumab are recommended as first-line therapy for all patients with relapsing-remitting MS and for those with secondary progressive MS who are experiencing acute exacerbations. • Decrease relapse rate about 30% • Self-injected (except for fingolimod)
Interferon Beta • Interferon is a naturally occurring glycoprotein with antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory actions. • Therapeutic use • Reduces the frequency and severity of attacks • Reduces the number and size of MRI-detectable lesions • Delays progression of disability
Interferon Beta • Adverse effects and drug interactions • Flu-like reactions • Hepatotoxicity • Myelosuppression • Injection-site reactions • Depression • Drug interactions • Preparation, dosage, and administration • Dispensed as single-use syringes and vials
Glatiramer Acetate • Therapeutic use • For long-term therapy of relapsing-remitting MS • Description and mechanism • Protects myelin by inhibiting immune response to myelin basic protein • Adverse effects • Well tolerated
Natalizumab (Tysabril) • Introduced in 2004 and withdrawn a few months later owing to three reports of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (severe brain infection) • Reintroduced in 2006 with protective restrictions on who can prescribe, dispense, administer, receive it • Therapeutic uses – MS and Crohn’s disease • Prevents circulating leukocytes from leaving the vasculature • Adverse effects – generally well tolerated (headache, fatigue, abdominal discomfort, arthralgia, depression, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, UTI, lower respiratory tract infection)
Disease-Modifying Drugs II: Immunosuppressants • Only one approved by the FDA: mitoxantrone • More toxic than immunomodulators • Produce greater suppression of immune function
Mitoxantrone • Therapeutic use • Decreases neurologic disability and clinical relapses • Mechanism of action • Binds with DNA and inhibits topoisomerase • Adverse effects and drug interactions • Myelosuppression • Cardiotoxicity • Fetal harm • Reversible hair loss, injury to GI mucosa, nausea/vomiting, amenorrhea, allergy symptoms, blue-green tint to urine, skin, and sclera
Mitoxantrone • Monitoring summary • Perform complete blood counts at baseline and before each dose • Perform liver function tests at baseline and before each dose • Perform a pregnancy test before each dose • Determine left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) • Before the first dose • Before all doses once cumulative dose has been reached • Whenever signs of congestive heart failure (CHF) develop
Symptom Management • Bladder dysfunction • Bowel dysfunction • Fatigue • Depression • Spasticity • Sexual dysfunction • Neuropathic pain • Ataxia and tremor • Cognitive dysfunction • Dizziness and vertigo