Discussing Treatment With Patients With Progressive MS

Other patients present with progressive disease, but without evidence of active inflammatory disease, and are not taking any medication. These patients also can be encouraged to participate in a clinical trial if they are eligible. “It’s important to explain the status of the evidence, which basically does not justify putting them on a disease-modifying therapy,” said Dr. Bourdette. If, after a discussion with the neurologist, a patient decides to try a drug, the patient should use the safest medication available and understand that the treatment is off label, he concluded.

—Erik Greb