title: Concomitant therapy for multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Interferon beta (IFNbeta) is the first-line treatment for patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). In patients with MS who experience breakthrough disease while receiving treatment with IFNbeta, it is common clinical practice to administer additional therapeutic agents. The rationale for use of concomitant therapies in the long-term management of MS is derived from the heterogeneous and multifactorial etiology of this disease. Agents used concomitantly have the potential to exert synergistic effects and slow the progression of disease in patients who experience breakthrough disease. Concomitant therapies that have been reported in patients with MS are reviewed here.
authors.affiliation: Peachtree Neurological Clinic, 3200 Downwood Circle, Suite 550, Atlanta, Georgia 30327, USA. whstuart@aol.com
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vermersch
mesh_terms: D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta