As of January 2013, the FDA has approved nine disease-modifying drugs or therapies (listed below) for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, including secondary-progressive MS in patients who still experience relapses.  One of the drugs, Novantrone, is specifically approved to treat secondary-progressive MS.  Four drugs, Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Extavia, are approved for use in patients who have experienced a first clinical episode, called clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), and have MRI features consistent with MS.  No drug is approved to treat primary-progressive MS.    

    •    Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) - 250 mcg, taken every other day by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection; manufactured by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; FDA approval in 1993
    •    Avonex (interferon beta-1a) - 30 mcg, taken once a week by intramuscular (into the muscle) injection; manufactured by Biogen Idec; FDA approval in 1996
    •    Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) - 20 mg, taken every day by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection; manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, Ltd.; FDA approval in 1996
    •    Novantrone (mitoxantrone) - 12 mg/m2, taken four times a year by intravenous (IV) infusion in a medical facility with a lifetime cumulative dose limit of approximately 8–12 doses over 2–3 years (140 mg/m2); manufactured by EMD Serono, Inc./Immunex Corporation; FDA approval in 2000; available as generic drug since 2006
    •    Rebif (interferon beta-1a) - 44 mcg, taken three times a week by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection; manufactured by EMD Serono, Inc./Pfizer, Inc.; FDA approval in 2002
    •    Tysabri (natalizumab) - 300 mg, taken every four weeks by intravenous (IV) infusion in a registered infusion facility; manufactured by Biogen Idec/Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; FDA approval in 2006
    •    Extavia (interferon beta-1b) - 250 mcg, taken every other day by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection; manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.; FDA approval in 2009
    •    Gilenya (fingolimod) - 0.5 mg, taken every day by oral capsule; manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.; FDA approval in 2010
    •    Aubagio (teriflunomide) - 7 mg or 14 mg, taken every day by oral tablet; manufactured by Genzyme, a Sanofi company; FDA approval in 2012

Five MS disease-modifying medications, Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Extavia, and Rebif, are given as injections either under the skin or into the muscle by the patient or caregiver.  Tysabri and Novantrone are given by intravenous infusion at a qualified infusion facility by trained professionals.  Gilenya and Aubagio are drugs taken orally.