image: Multi-coloured pills
Disease modifying drugs are not a cure for MS, but they can reduce the frequency of relapses.
Scientists don't yet know whether any of these drugs will slow down the rate of disability in the long term. Unfortunately they're not effective for primary progressive MS.
Clinical trials have shown that disease modifying drugs (DMDs) reduce the number of MS relapses by around a third over two years.
Like all drugs, DMDs cause some side effects, and have criteria for who can access them. The most common drugs are injected.
Find out more about these drugs
Unlicensed drugs may also be used to treat MS, perhaps because licensed drugs haven't worked well for an individual.
Find out more about unlicensed DMDs
image: Nurse attending to her patient with MS
Multiple Sclerosis Society. Registered charity nos 1139257 / SC041990. Registered as a limited company in England and Wales 07451571
(External)
image: Fundraising Standards Board