Multiple Sclerosis Medications
This corticosteroid is used for acute MS flares.
What is methylprednisolone?
This dopamine agonist is used to treat symptoms like tremor and rigidity.
What is pramipexole?
This cholinesterase inhibitor is first-line for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
What is donepezil?
This muscle relaxant acts on the spinal cord to reduce spasticity.
What is baclofen?
This clot-busting drug must be given within 3–4.5 hours of stroke onset.
What is alteplase (tPA)?
This chemotherapy agent may be used for severe, progressive MS.
What is cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)?
This medication converts into dopamine in the brain.
What is levodopa?
This NMDA receptor antagonist is used for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s.
What is memantine (Namenda)?
This direct-acting muscle relaxant is also used to treat malignant hyperthermia.
What is dantrolene?
This anti-seizure medication is highly teratogenic and requires liver monitoring.
What is valproic acid?
This MS drug (brand Avonex) is given once weekly intramuscularly
What is interferon beta-1a?
This drug is always paired with levodopa to prevent peripheral breakdown
What is carbidopa?
This Alzheimer’s medication targets amyloid plaques but is highly controversial.
What is aducanumab (Aduhelm)?
This osmotic diuretic is used to reduce intracranial pressure
What is mannitol?
This anti-seizure and neuropathy medication is also used for nerve pain.
What is gabapentin?
This interferon is given subcutaneously every other day for MS maintenance.
What is interferon beta-1b (Betaseron)?
This MAO-B inhibitor helps prolong dopamine availability.
What is selegiline?
This newer amyloid-targeting drug has lower infusion reaction risk and slows cognitive decline.
What is lecanemab (Leqembi)?
This medication requires monitoring for Stevens–Johnson syndrome and can treat seizures and trigeminal neuralgia.
What is carbamazepine?
This benzodiazepine is used for status epilepticus and acute anxiety.
What is lorazepam?
This MS drug mimics myelin basic protein and helps decrease relapse frequency.
What is glatiramer acetate (Copaxone)?
This anticholinergic is used to manage tremor but should be avoided in older adults.
What is benztropine?
This medication, a cholinesterase inhibitor, can cause bradycardia and syncope.
What is donepezil?
This anti-seizure medication can cause gingival hyperplasia and requires therapeutic drug level monitoring.
What is phenytoin?
This antihypertensive is used in hypertensive crises and can cause reflex tachycardia.
What is hydralazine (Apresoline)?