Studies have shown that smoking can reduce the effectiveness of MS medications. While the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, it is considered likely that inhalation of cigarette smoke plays an important role and promotes the formation of antibodies.
Normally, antibodies protect us from harmful substances and organisms. In some cases, however, they can bind to the active ingredients of medications, neutralising them and making them ineffective.
For example, with the MS medication natalizumab, smokers are 2.4 times more likely to develop antibodies against it. The more a person smokes, the higher the likelihood that the medication becomes ineffective.
Studies have also shown that smokers are twice as likely to develop antibodies against the MS medication Interferon-beta.
Unfortunately, no study results are available yet for other MS medications. However, based on existing research, it is conceivable that smoking may have a similar negative impact on the effectiveness of other MS medications.
However, there is also good news. The same studies found no differences between non-smokers and former smokers. This means that quitting smoking can reduce the risk of developing antibodies against MS medications.
In this context, nicotine has not been shown to have a damaging effect. Therefore, based on the current state of scientific evidence, it can be assumed that the use of nicotine replacement products during smoking cessation does not negatively impact the effectiveness of MS medications.
