FDA approves first MS treatment in pill form

[sinkingfeeling]

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/22/fda-approves-first-ms-treatment-in-pill-form/?hpt=T2

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first oral drug for treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common form of the disease.

Unlike current MS drugs, which are given by injections or infusion, this new drug, called Gilenya or fingolimod, comes in a capsule which is taken once a day. Taking a pill is much less painful than having to stick a needle in your body on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, which is what many MS patients have to do now.

"Gilenya is the first oral drug that can slow the progression of disability and reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms in MS," according to a statement by the FDA's director of the Division of Neurology Products Dr. Russell Katz.

According research presented by Novartis, the manufacturer of Gilenya, this drug cut the relapse rate by 62 percent in newly diagnosed patients and by 44 percent in previously treated patients.

[WilliamPitt]

1. WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!

I have to give my wife an injection of Copaxone every day (her MS cashiered her right hand, so she can't do it herself), and she is tough as nails made out of other nails, but it sucks for her so much.

THIS is a thunderclap.

Gonna wait to see what the long-term side-effects are before we dive in with both feet, but a year from now, God willing, I get to put the syringe away.

Fuck and yes.

[foxfeet]

2. Great news!

A friend of mine has struggled with relapsing-remitting MS for years now. I hope this medication is helpful to her and to everybody else who needs it.