Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewWhat to ExpectTimingDMTsSide EffectsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
What to Expect
Timing
DMTs
Side Effects
Frequently Asked Questions
Read on to learn more about infusion therapy for MS.
7 Surprising Facts About Multiple Sclerosis
What Is Infusion Therapy?
Infusion therapy is a treatment in which medication is sent directly into the bloodstream intravenously (IV, through a vein) using a central venous catheter (central line).
A central line is much longer than a typical IV. It is placed in a major vein near the heart or just inside the heart. Central lines can be used if a person needs multiple IV treatments.
Infusions are given in place of certain oral medications since traveling through the digestive system can make the drugs less effective. The lines are also used when medication needs to be administered at a specific pace.
Before, During, and After Treatment
IV infusion therapy is usually done in your doctor’s office or in the hospital. Before starting your infusion, you will be prepped for the IV insertion. You will also receive medication such as anantihistamine, corticosteroid, and a fever reducer to prevent infusion-related side effects.
Once the treatment is over, the IV will be removed and you will be monitored for up to one hour for infusion reactions.If none occurs, you will be able to go home and return to your usual activities.
Infusion-Related ReactionsIf you experience signs or symptoms of an infusion-related reaction, such as hives, a rash, coughing or wheezing, unordinary tiredness, headache, nausea, redness in the face, or shortness of breath, in the first 24 hours after your infusion, call your doctor immediately. While some reactions are not medical emergencies, others could be.
Infusion-Related Reactions
If you experience signs or symptoms of an infusion-related reaction, such as hives, a rash, coughing or wheezing, unordinary tiredness, headache, nausea, redness in the face, or shortness of breath, in the first 24 hours after your infusion, call your doctor immediately. While some reactions are not medical emergencies, others could be.
Timing of IV Appointments
The timing of IV appointments will vary greatly depending on the medication that you are taking. For example, one medication may take up to four hours while another might only take one to two hours.
The length of your infusion will be based on the medication that you are taking. Other factors related to the specifics of your MS will also be taken into account when determining the duration of your infusion treatments.
Disease-Modifying Drugs
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
There are several DMTs that are given intravenously, including:
Which Infusion Medication Is Right for Me?You will not get to choose which infusion medication you receive. Your provider will discuss the options with you and determine which one will be the best choice for your specific case.
Which Infusion Medication Is Right for Me?
You will not get to choose which infusion medication you receive. Your provider will discuss the options with you and determine which one will be the best choice for your specific case.
Types of MS
Possible Side Effects
As with most medical treatments, infusions for MS do come with a risk for side effects. Each DMT that is used for MS has its own possible adverse effects. Common infusion side effects include:
Tysabri, Tyruko (Natalizumab)
The common side effects of natalizumab are:
Serious Side Effects of NatalizumabThere are also some serious side effects that can occur with Tysabri and Tyruko, including:Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy(a potentially deadly brain infection)Liver damage or disease
Serious Side Effects of Natalizumab
There are also some serious side effects that can occur with Tysabri and Tyruko, including:Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy(a potentially deadly brain infection)Liver damage or disease
There are also some serious side effects that can occur with Tysabri and Tyruko, including:
Lemtrada (Alemtuzumab)
Side effects of Lemtrada can be mild or severe. Common symptoms of Lemtrada include:
More serious side effects can also occur with people taking Lemtrada, including:
Alternative MS Treatments
Novantrone (Mitoxantrone)
Most side effects of Novantrone are mild and include:
In some cases, Novantrone can cause serious side effects that require medical attention, such as:
Ocrevus (Ocrelizumab)
Ocrevus can have common and more serious side effects. Common side effects can include:
More serious adverse effects of Ocrevus can include:
When to Call Your DoctorIt can be hard to determine how a medication will affect you until you take it. If you have any mild or common side effects that are concerning you, be sure to talk to your doctor.If you notice any worsening symptoms or are experiencing serious adverse effects, you may need to seek immediate medical care. Although rare, some serious side effects can be fatal.If you are not sure if you having a serious reaction to an infusion medication, go to the emergency room to be checked out.
When to Call Your Doctor
It can be hard to determine how a medication will affect you until you take it. If you have any mild or common side effects that are concerning you, be sure to talk to your doctor.If you notice any worsening symptoms or are experiencing serious adverse effects, you may need to seek immediate medical care. Although rare, some serious side effects can be fatal.If you are not sure if you having a serious reaction to an infusion medication, go to the emergency room to be checked out.
It can be hard to determine how a medication will affect you until you take it. If you have any mild or common side effects that are concerning you, be sure to talk to your doctor.
If you notice any worsening symptoms or are experiencing serious adverse effects, you may need to seek immediate medical care. Although rare, some serious side effects can be fatal.
If you are not sure if you having a serious reaction to an infusion medication, go to the emergency room to be checked out.
Summary
Infusion therapy can be an effective treatment for many people with MS. However, not all people will benefit from all infusion medications. You and your healthcare team may have to try several to find out which one works best for you.
A Guide to Multiple Sclerosis Medications
A Word From Verywell
Advancements are being madein MS treatments and medications every day. Many medications that are being used are very effective at managing symptoms, reducing flare-ups, and slowing disease progression. Your doctor can discuss infusion therapy with you and determine if it is an option in your case.
Best MS Support Groups of 2021
Frequently Asked QuestionsInfusions for MS are generally considered safe but there is always a risk that you may experience an infusion reaction or side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns. A doctor will help you make an informed decision about your care.Getting a needle inserted for a central line before you start the infusion might be uncomfortable or painful, however, the infusion itself is not painful. Once the medication is being administered, it’s unlikely that you will experience any discomfort or pain.Your care team will likely encourage you to eat before an infusion. Foods that are high in nutrients will be good for your body while you undergo infusion therapy. No specific precautions, dietary or otherwise, need to be taken before an MS infusion treatment session.It can be hard to determine how you will feel following an infusion. You may feel light-headed or fatigued, but since everyone reacts differently to medications, it’s important that you bring someone with you to your first infusion. They can provide support and give you a ride home when your treatment is done.
Infusions for MS are generally considered safe but there is always a risk that you may experience an infusion reaction or side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns. A doctor will help you make an informed decision about your care.
Getting a needle inserted for a central line before you start the infusion might be uncomfortable or painful, however, the infusion itself is not painful. Once the medication is being administered, it’s unlikely that you will experience any discomfort or pain.
Your care team will likely encourage you to eat before an infusion. Foods that are high in nutrients will be good for your body while you undergo infusion therapy. No specific precautions, dietary or otherwise, need to be taken before an MS infusion treatment session.
It can be hard to determine how you will feel following an infusion. You may feel light-headed or fatigued, but since everyone reacts differently to medications, it’s important that you bring someone with you to your first infusion. They can provide support and give you a ride home when your treatment is done.
How Is MS Treated?
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD.Treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis: When to start, when to change, when to stop.World J Clin Cases.2015 Jul 16;3(7):545-555. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v3.i7.545Nemours Children’s Health.Central lines (central venous catheters).Ocrevus.Infusion experience.Voge NV, Alvarez E.Monoclonal antibodies in multiple sclerosis: Present and future.Biomedicines. 2019;7(1):20. doi:10.3390/biomedicines7010020Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Ocrevus (ocrelizumab).National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Infused therapies.Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Lemtrada (alemtuzumab).Hoepner R, Faissner S, Salmen A, et al.Efficacy and side effects of natalizumab therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis.J Cent Nerv Syst Dis.2014;6:JCNSD.S14049. doi:10.4137/JCNSD.S14049Guarnera C, Bramanti P, Mazzon E.Alemtuzumab: A review of efficacy and risks in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.Ther Clin Risk Manag.2017;13:871-879. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S134398National Institutes of Health.Mitoxantrone injection.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD.Treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis: When to start, when to change, when to stop.World J Clin Cases.2015 Jul 16;3(7):545-555. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v3.i7.545Nemours Children’s Health.Central lines (central venous catheters).Ocrevus.Infusion experience.Voge NV, Alvarez E.Monoclonal antibodies in multiple sclerosis: Present and future.Biomedicines. 2019;7(1):20. doi:10.3390/biomedicines7010020Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Ocrevus (ocrelizumab).National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Infused therapies.Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Lemtrada (alemtuzumab).Hoepner R, Faissner S, Salmen A, et al.Efficacy and side effects of natalizumab therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis.J Cent Nerv Syst Dis.2014;6:JCNSD.S14049. doi:10.4137/JCNSD.S14049Guarnera C, Bramanti P, Mazzon E.Alemtuzumab: A review of efficacy and risks in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.Ther Clin Risk Manag.2017;13:871-879. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S134398National Institutes of Health.Mitoxantrone injection.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD.Treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis: When to start, when to change, when to stop.World J Clin Cases.2015 Jul 16;3(7):545-555. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v3.i7.545Nemours Children’s Health.Central lines (central venous catheters).Ocrevus.Infusion experience.Voge NV, Alvarez E.Monoclonal antibodies in multiple sclerosis: Present and future.Biomedicines. 2019;7(1):20. doi:10.3390/biomedicines7010020Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Ocrevus (ocrelizumab).National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Infused therapies.Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Lemtrada (alemtuzumab).Hoepner R, Faissner S, Salmen A, et al.Efficacy and side effects of natalizumab therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis.J Cent Nerv Syst Dis.2014;6:JCNSD.S14049. doi:10.4137/JCNSD.S14049Guarnera C, Bramanti P, Mazzon E.Alemtuzumab: A review of efficacy and risks in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.Ther Clin Risk Manag.2017;13:871-879. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S134398National Institutes of Health.Mitoxantrone injection.
Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD.Treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis: When to start, when to change, when to stop.World J Clin Cases.2015 Jul 16;3(7):545-555. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v3.i7.545
Nemours Children’s Health.Central lines (central venous catheters).
Ocrevus.Infusion experience.
Voge NV, Alvarez E.Monoclonal antibodies in multiple sclerosis: Present and future.Biomedicines. 2019;7(1):20. doi:10.3390/biomedicines7010020
Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Ocrevus (ocrelizumab).
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Infused therapies.
Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Lemtrada (alemtuzumab).
Hoepner R, Faissner S, Salmen A, et al.Efficacy and side effects of natalizumab therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis.J Cent Nerv Syst Dis.2014;6:JCNSD.S14049. doi:10.4137/JCNSD.S14049
Guarnera C, Bramanti P, Mazzon E.Alemtuzumab: A review of efficacy and risks in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.Ther Clin Risk Manag.2017;13:871-879. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S134398
National Institutes of Health.Mitoxantrone injection.
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