Multiple Sclerosis Symptom Medications
A number of effective treatments are available to reduce the effects of most MS symptoms. Several medications mentioned (in the listing to follow) are not specifically approved for MS by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, doctors may prescribe these medications “off-label” for some of their patients, if appropriate.
While this list includes many of the medications commonly prescribed for the symptoms noted, other medications not appearing on the list may also be prescribed by a physician, depending on the specific circumstances and the doctor’s preferences.
Additionally, medical marijuana (cannabis) has been used in treating certain MS symptoms, such as pain, spasticity, and sleep issues. Studies with cannabis for symptom relief in MS are limited and the results have been mixed. Your healthcare professional can help you to better understand the risks versus the benefits of cannabis in treating certain MS symptoms.
Your healthcare professional is also the best source of information on all treatment options for your specific situation. Individuals with questions or considering a change with a medication or other symptom-management treatment should consult their physician.
Medications Listed by Symptom
Please note that not all symptoms are included in this list – only those with specific drug treatments available. For a full listing of symptoms associated with MS, please visit the Symptoms section of this website.
Anxiety
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Celexa® (citalopram)
- Lexapro® (escitalopram)
- Effexor® (venlafaxine)
- Cymbalta® (duloxetine hydrochloride)
- Valium® (diazepam)
- Serax® (oxazepam)
- Ativan® (lorazepam)
- Klonopin® (clonazepam)
- Xanax® (alprazolam)
Bladder Dysfunction
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Anti-spasticity Treatments:
- Detrol® and Detrol LA® (tolterodine tartrate)
- Ditropan® (oxybutynin)
- Ditropan XL® (oxybutynin chloride)
- Vesicare® (solifenacin)
- Enablex® (darifenacin)
- Levsinex® (hyoscyamine)
- Flomax® (tamsulosin) and Other Antihistamines
- Alpha Blockers:
- Hytrin® (terazosin)
- Minipress® (prazosin)
- Antibiotic Bladder Agents (please note that a culture is needed to determine the proper antibiotic):
- Bactrim® (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim)
- Septra® (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim)
- Cipro® (ciprofloxacin)
- Other Bladder Drugs:
- DDAVP (desmopressin)
- Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA) injection
Bowel Problems
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Stool Softeners:
- Colace®
- Surfak®
- Chronulac® syrup
- Bulk Forming Agents:
- Metamucil®
- FiberCon®
- Citrucel®
- Fiberall®
- Oral Laxatives:
- Miralax®
- Pericolace®
- Milk of Magnesia®
- Mineral Oil
- Suppositories/Rectal Stimulants:
- Glycerin Suppositories
- Ducolax® (bisacodyl) Suppositories
- Enemeez® Mini Enema (docusate)
- Fleet® (sodium phosphate) Enema
- Overall Management:
- Metamucil®
- Imodium® and Related Medications
Cognitive Changes
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Aricept® (donepezil HCl)
- Possibly other Alzheimer’s drugs
Depression
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI):
- Wellbutrin® (bupropion)
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI):
- Paxil® (paroxetine)
- Prozac® (fluoxetine)
- Zoloft® (sertraline)
- Lexapro® (escitalopram)
- Celexa® (citalopram)
- Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SRNI):
- Cymbalta® (duloxetine hydrochloride)
- Serzone® (nefazodone)
- Remeron® (mirtazapine)
- Tricyclic Antidepressants:
- Elavil® (amitriptyline)
- Pamelor® (nortriptyline)
- Tofranil® (imipramine)
Dizziness/Vertigo
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Antivert® (meclizine)
- Benadryl® (diphenhydramine)
- Dramamine® (dimenhydrinate)
- Scopolamine Transdermal Patch
- Benzodiazepines
- Klonopin® (clonazepam)
- Serax® (oxazepam)
- Valium® (diazepam)
Fatigue
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Provigil® (modafinil)
- Nuvigil® (armodafinil)
- Symmetrel® (amantidine)
- Ritalin® (methylphenidate)
- Dexedrine® (dextroamphetamine)
- SSRI antidepressants (Prozac®, Paxil®, Zoloft®)
Mobility and Walking
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Ampyra® (dalfampridine)
MS Hug
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Antispasticity medications, including:
- Baclofen (formerly available as Lioresal®)
- Zanaflex® tablets and capsules (tizantidine hydrochloride)
- Neurologic pain medications, including:
- Neurontin® (gabapentin)
- Antidepressant medications, including:
- Elavil® (amitriptyline)
- Anticonvulsant medications
Numbness
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Please note that medications are usually not prescribed for this symptom unless it becomes painful.
- Niacin (one of the B complex vitamins)
- Neurontin® (gabapentin)
- Lyrica® (pregabalin)
- Dilantin® (phenytoin)
- Tegretol® (carbamazepine)
- Elavil® (amitriptyline)
- Pamelor® (nortriptyline)
- Tofranil® (imipramine)
Pain
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Neurontin® (gabapentin)
- Tegretol® (carbamazepine)
- Keppra® (levetiracetam)
- Anti-Anxiety Agents (such as Cymbalta®, Valium®, and Klonopin®)
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (such as Elavil® and Pamelor®)
- Dilantin® (phenytoin)
- Lyrica® (pregabalin)
Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- PBA is associated with certain neurological conditions, including MS, and is characterized by uncontrolled, inappropriate, and/or exaggerated episodes of crying, laughing, or other emotional display.
- Nuedexta® (dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate)
Sexual Dysfunction
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Viagra® (sildenafil citrate)
- Cialis® (tadalafil)
- Levitra® (vardenafil HCI)
Spasticity (stiffness)
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Baclofen (formerly available as Lioresal®)
- Gablofen® (baclofen injection)
- Zanaflex® tablets and capsules (tizantidine hydrochloride)
- Valium® (diazepam)
- Klonopin® (clonazepam)
- Dantrium® (dantrolene sodium)
- Neurontin® (gabapentin)
- Tegretol® (carbamazepine)
- Keppra® (levetiracetam)
- Dopaminergic agonists (such as Requip® and Miripex®; largely used for “restless legs syndrome, which can be secondary to spasticity)
- Intrathecal baclofen pump
- Botox®, Dysport®, and Myobloc® (botulinum toxin) injection
- For Intermittent Spasms (only at night):
- Neurontin® (gabapentin)
- Tegretol® (carbamazepine)
Tremor
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Atarax®, Vistaril® (hydroxyzine)
- Klonopin® (clonazepam)
- Buspar® (buspirone)
- Neurontin® (gabapentin)
- Inderal® (propranolol)
- Zofran® (ondansetron)
- Keppra® (levetiracetam)
- Mysoline® (pimidone)
- Laniazide®, Nydrazid® (isoniazid)
- Brain stimulation surgery
Weakness
► Commonly Prescribed Medications
- Ampyra® (dalfampridine)
Please note that MSAA does not endorse or recommend any specific drug or treatment. Individuals are advised to consult with a physician about the potential benefits and risks of the different treatment therapies.