Consensus Statement revised - National MS Society - statement of available multiple sclerosis treatment agents - Brief Article

Inside MS, Jan-March, 2003

In 1998, the Medical Advisory Board of the National MS Society adopted the "Consensus Statement." For the first time, the Society recommended a treatment--the early use of one of three disease-modifying drugs then approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for relapsing-remitting MS.

In early 2002, when the FDA also approved Rebif (interferon beta-1a) for relapsing-remitting MS, the Society's Medical Advisory Board revisited the statement.

The revised Consensus Statement adds not only Rebif but also Novantrone (mitoxantrone for injection), which is recommended for worsening forms of relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive MS. A comment advising that the use of these drugs has not been approved for women who are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are nursing has also been added.

The revised Consensus Statement is on file at every chapter and on the Society's Web site at nationalmssociety.org. Click the "Treatment" bar on the home page.