4 choices

[Juliann_ashley]

I have to change my medication and I'm not sure what medicine I should go on. I'm left with 4choices Rebif, Betaseron, Tecfidera, and tysabri.

[Juliann_ashley]

Okay thank you for your help!

[Juliann_ashley]

Okay thank you for your  the help!

[HVAC]

Your neurologist knows the progression of your disease so I would go with what he recommends. The beauty is if the next one does not work because of side effects or with progression you have others to choose from. When I started my MS journey it was the CRABs and Tysabri, and Rituxan.

Alex

[kwarendorf]

Hi JA -

If Avonex is not strong enough, I don't think Rebif or Betaseron would be either. The CRAB's (Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex and Betaseron) are on about the same level strength wise.

My initial diagnosis was Secondary Progressive MS. When I was idagnosed 3 1/2 years ago my doc though I was already beyond the reach of the CRAB's. My first DMD as Tysabri. I was on it for 20 months before it stopped working. I then switched to Rituxan.

Tecfidera is "stronger" than the CRAB's, but not as strong as Tysabri. I'm not sure here Aubagio and Gilenya fit on the strength scale, but I would ask your neuro about them. They are both oral meds.

Kyle

[Juliann_ashley]

Thanks for your response! I only have those four because my MS is progressive so I needed to get switched onto a stronger medication,I was on copaxone and it wasn't working for me unfortunately. I've been researching all the medications and looking at the side effects I'm unsure which drug would be the best for me. I can't go on avonex because my doc said its not strong enough, that it would just be like going back on copaxone.

[TLC_31]

Hard to answer your question without more information. Why do you have only those four choices? Avonex (which I’ve used for 11 years) and others are notably absent from your list. Avonex, Rebif, and Betaseron have been around longest and have the strongest safety profiles. If your MS is more aggressive, then you may be more inclined to consider Gilenya, Tecfidera, Aubagio, or Tysabri. All of the DMDs are discussed from a neutral perspective at the link below:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Medications

Choose a medicine that you can adhere to the dosing schedule. If you would forget to take pills, for example, you need to be on an injectible. Consider the common side effects and which ones you can most readily live with. You may not even suffer the side effects, but you need to be prepared for them.

I’m sorry you hadn’t had a response for 20 hours … ask questions anytime!