Multiple sclerosis: new SUS remedy offers higher quality of life

THE multiple sclerosis It is a neurological and autoimmune disease that compromises the central nervous system and mainly affects people between 18 and 55 years, according to the Ministry of Health. The disease has no cure and is considered rare, but a new treatment available in the Unified Health System (SUS) can offer greater practicality for patients, improving quality of life.

The medicine cladribine known by the trade name Mavenclad was incorporated into the public health system in February, and is the first short -term oral therapy for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Launched in Brazil in 2020, the drug has short -term dosage, with 20 days of administration over two years of treatment, with effectiveness supported by at least four years, according to a clinical study. A single drug tablet can be found in pharmacies for up to $ 19,000, while distribution in SUS makes the remedy free of charge.

“The introduction of cladribine in SUS is really a very important step, because it brings a cutting -edge medicine to all Brazilians – and we know that most of the population does not have access to health plans,” says Guilherme Olival, neurologist, neuroscientist and multiple sclerosis specialist, CNN .

“This is an oral medicine that acts as an induction therapy, that is, you use it for a short period of time and it acts prolongly for years, without having to take the medicine,” explains Olival. “This brings an advantage from the logistical point of view to the SUS and brings advantages to the patient, as he is not susceptible to prolonged side effects,” he adds.

In general, the disease can be treated with corticosteroids in its acute phase, to treat brain inflammation, and with medications that prevent the immune system from attacking Melina’s sheaths, which involves nerve cells through which the electrical impulses are responsible for controlling the body’s functions.

These medications may be injectable or infusional, which may be applied at a monthly, weekly or even daily frequency depending on treatment. “The oral medicine brings greater dosage comfort to the patient,” says Olival.

For whom is the medicine indicated?

Mavenclad is suitable for adult patients with highly active recurrent multiple sclerosis, ie a form of the disease that causes recurrent outbreaks and brain inflammation detectable in examinations such as magnetic resonance imaging. In SUS, the drug is indicated when there is a need to replace or contraindicate other treatments, and is available under prescription.

The medicine is contraindicated for people with active tuberculosis or hepatitis, who have a weakened immune system or who are in immunosuppressive treatment, who are undergoing cancer treatment, who have moderate or serious kidney problems and for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Understand what multiple sclerosis is

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune neurological disease that compromises the central nervous system and can lead to changes in vision, balance and muscle capacity. The most common symptoms include:

  • Visual loss (optical neuritis);
  • Decrease or loss of limb movements (paresis);
  • Sensation of numbness or tingling (Paresthesia);
  • Coordination and balance dysfunctions, inflammation of the spinal cord (myelitis);
  • Cognitive and behavioral changes.

Patients may also have speech and swallowing changes, fatigue and problems in the urinary and digestive tract.

One of the challenges of the study of multiple sclerosis is to define the cause of the disease. So far, science does not have an answer about what leads to the deterioration of the myelin sheath. The hypotheses consider that the action against nervous system tissues is induced by the immune system itself, according to genetic predisposition.

Too yawn can be a sign of health problem

This content was originally published in Multiple Sclerosis: new SUS remedy offers higher quality of life on CNN Brazil.

Source: CNN Brasil

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