Choosing Treatments for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: Devon Conway, MD

WATCH TIME: 3 minutes

“With ofatumumab and ocrelizumab, they have essentially the same mechanism of action—side effects are fairly similar. A lot of it comes down to patient preference. What's convenient for them? Do they want to take a day off work every 6 months to come and get infused? Do they live in close proximity to an infusion center?”

The range of treatments for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is expansive, and the “crowded market” can make create challenges when choosing the best option for an individual patient. Speaking with NeurologyLive®, Devon Conway, MD, staff neurologist, Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Cleveland Clinic, outlined the benefits and drawbacks to advanced versions of newer MS medications, noting that the choice can often depend on the patient’s preference.

Conway mentioned taking different aspects into consideration—dosing preferences, existing comorbidities, other medications—and then making a recommendation for an S1P receptor modulator. Also discussed were drawbacks to certain medications; siponimod (Mayzent; Novartis), for example, requires genetic testing, while it is recommended for those on ozanimod (Zeposia; BMS) to avoid high tyramine diets. When deciding whether to prescribe ofatumumab (Kesimpta; Novartis) or ocrelizumab (Ocrevus; Genentech), it is important to take into consideration proximity to infusion centers, as the latter requires an infusion every 6 months. The newer medication, ofatumumab, offers potential in that patients can access a highly effective therapy without having to travel to be infused, Conway said. 

For more coverage the Institutional Perspectives in Neurology: Multiple Sclerosis events, click here.