Multiple sclerosis treatment: Is combination therapy effective?

What can you tell me about combination therapy as a multiple sclerosis treatment option? Is it effective?

- Ana Maria / Mexico

Answer

Combination therapy most often refers to the use of two or more medications to treat a single disease. Scientists are studying the potential benefits of combination drug therapy in multiple sclerosis treatment.

Interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Rebif) and glatiramer (Copaxone) are two drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Each drug has a different mechanism of action and is generally considered to provide mild to moderate benefit in reducing MS symptoms.

But the question has been raised as to whether these two drugs used in combination may provider a greater benefit than either drug used alone. To answer this question, a large, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study is underway. The study — which is looking at the safety as well as at the effectiveness of this combination — began in 2005, and results are expected in late 2009.

Until these results are available, it is unclear what role, if any, combination drug therapy may play in routine multiple sclerosis treatment.