title: Switching therapies in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: There are currently nine approved disease modifying therapies for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, with six distinct mechanisms of action. All have side effects, and none are cures. When a patient cannot tolerate therapy, or there is unacceptable breakthrough disease activity, the most common approach is to change drug. No universal guidelines exist for switching therapy. This overview will propose switch principles and suggestions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Stony Brook University Medical Center, HSC T12-020, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8121, USA. patricia.coyle@stonybrookmedicine.edu
authors.forename: Patricia K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Coyle
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057915:Drug Substitution; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents