Neurológia pre prax 5/2016

Safety aspects of treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis a serious disease of the central nervous system in which an autoimmune inflammatory process is directed against the myelin sheaths of nerve fibres. In addition to inflammatory mechanisms, neurodegenerative processes are also involved. The treatment options for multiple sclerosis have been expanding considerably in the recent years and more novel drugs are expected to be available for use in the clinical practice within the next two years. This progress results not only in higher treatment efficacy, but also a wider spectrum of adverse effects. For this reason, careful monitoring of adverse effects, collaboration with other medical specialities, and benefit-risk ratio assessment of treatment in a particular patient are all necessary. The situation is even more complex in that not all drugs have comparable long-term data on safety. It is therefore essential to consider treatment in every patient strictly individually and have the patient participate in the discussion on choosing an optimal treatment strategy.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, pharmacovigilance, disease-modifying drugs