MS Treatments

There are many different ways to treat multiple sclerosis (MS), and you might find some treatments work better than others. Developing a plan with your healthcare team is the best strategy to manage your MS, including any medications.

Medications for MS generally fall into three main categories: those that reduce relapse risk and slow disease progression (called disease-modifying therapies, or DMTs), those that treat active relapses, and those that help manage specific symptoms. The choice of medication depends on various factors, including the type of MS and individual circumstances.

Treatment options include:

Disease modifying therapies (DMTs): Also known as immunotherapies, DMTs modify immune system activity to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks on the brain and spinal cord. These medications are most commonly prescribed for relapsing remitting MS, where they have been shown to have the greatest impact.
Corticosteroids: Used during acute relapses, corticosteroids help reduce inflammation at the affected site, providing symptom relief during flare-ups.
Symptomatic treatments: These address specific symptoms of MS, such as incontinence, muscle spasticity, pain, or depression, improving quality of life by targeting particular challenges associated with MS.

It can be frustrating if treatments aren’t right for you or don’t work as well as you’d like. If this happens, talk to your neurologist, MS Nurse or GP to discuss other options. It’s also important to let your healthcare team know if you’re using alternative or complementary treatments alongside your drug treatments, to ensure that there are no interactions or possible side effects from their inclusion.

Read the latest information on DMTs for MS and COVID-19.

MS Australia does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist.

DMTs for MS in Australia

Betaferon® (Interferon beta-1b)

Administration route:

Subcutaneous injection (injection under skin)

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing Remitting MS (specific criteria), Secondary Progressive MS (specific criteria) and Clinically Isolated Syndrome at risk of MS (specific criteria)

Available on PBS:

Yes

Copaxone® (Glatiramer acetate)

Administration route:

Subcutaneous Injection (injection under skin; pre-filled syringe or pen)

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing Remitting MS, Clinically Isolated Syndrome at risk of MS (specific criteria)

Available on PBS:

Yes

Dimethyl Fumarate

Administration route:

Oral capsule

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing Remitting MS

Available on PBS:

Yes

Fingolimod

Administration route:

Oral capsule

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing forms of MS

Available on PBS:

Yes

Kesimpta® (Ofatumumab)

Administration route:

Subcutaneous injection (injection under skin)

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing forms of MS

Available on PBS:

Yes

Lemtrada®(Alemtuzumab)

Administration route:

Intravenous infusion (into vein)

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing forms of MS

Available on PBS:

Yes

Mavenclad® (Cladribine)

Administration route:

Oral tablet

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing Remitting MS

Available on PBS:

Yes

Mayzent® (Siponimod)

Administration route:

Oral tablet

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Secondary Progressive MS

Available on PBS:

Yes

Ocrevus® (Ocrelizumab)

Administration route:

Intravenous infusion (into vein)

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing forms of MS, Primary Progressive MS

Available on PBS:

Yes for relapsing remitting MS

Plegridy® (Interferon beta-1a)

Administration route:

Subcutaneous injection (injection under skin)

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing forms of MS

Available on PBS:

Yes

Teriflunomide

Administration route:

Oral tablet

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing forms of MS

Available on PBS:

Yes

Tysabri® (Natalizumab)

Administration route:

Intravenous infusion (into vein)

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing Remitting MS

Available on PBS:

Yes

Vumerity® (Diroximel fumarate)

Administration route:

Oral capsule

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing Remitting MS

Available on PBS:

Yes

Zeposia® (Ozanimod)

Administration route:

Oral capsule

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Relapsing forms of MS

Available on PBS:

Yes

Symptomatic treatments for MS in Australia

Baclofen

Administration route:

Oral and intrathecal (injection into spinal canal)

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

All forms

Available on PBS:

Yes

Botox® (Botulinum toxin A)

Administration route:

Intramuscular injection (injection into muscle)

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

All forms

Available on PBS:

Yes

Fampyra® (Fampridine)

Administration route:

Oral tablet

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

All forms

Available on PBS:

Sativex® (Nabiximols)

Administration route:

Oral spray

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

All forms

Available on PBS:

Generic Medications

The MS treatment landscape is continuously evolving and there are an increasing number of generic DMTs available for people with MS.

Generic medications contain the same active ingredient as the brand name medication and are to be taken in the same dose and frequency as the brand name medication.

Generic medications can become available when a brand-name medication’s patent protections have expired. The original brand product has a certain patent life and after this ends, other manufacturers can apply for a license to manufacture and market a generic version. These generic versions must meet the same standards of quality, safety and effectiveness as the original brand.

For MS medications, if the medicinal product (medicine) is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the cost to someone living with MS for the generic brand medicine, is likely to be the same as the original brand name version.

The choice is yours whether you are happy to go with the generic or brand name version of the medication. Speak to your neurologist, MS Nurse or GP if you have any questions or concerns.

MS Treatments

There are many different ways to treat multiple sclerosis (MS), and you might find some treatments work better than others. Developing a plan with your healthcare team is the best strategy to manage your MS, including any medications.

DMTs for MS in Australia

Betaferon® (Interferon beta-1b)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Copaxone® (Glatiramer acetate)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Dimethyl Fumarate

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Fingolimod

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Kesimpta® (Ofatumumab)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Lemtrada®(Alemtuzumab)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Mavenclad® (Cladribine)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Mayzent® (Siponimod)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Ocrevus® (Ocrelizumab)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Plegridy® (Interferon beta-1a)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Teriflunomide

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Tysabri® (Natalizumab)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Vumerity® (Diroximel fumarate)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Zeposia® (Ozanimod)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Symptomatic treatments for MS in Australia

Baclofen

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Botox® (Botulinum toxin A)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Fampyra® (Fampridine)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Sativex® (Nabiximols)

Administration route:

Forms of MS approved for by the TGA:

Available on PBS:

Generic Medications

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