Brand Names: Gablofen® (intrathecal injection),
Lioresal® (intrathecal injection),
Lyvispah™ (oral granules) and
Fleqsuvy™ (oral suspension)
Chemical Name: baclofen (bak-loe-fen)
Generic Available: Yes
Description: Baclofen acts on the central nervous system to relieve spasms, cramping and muscle tightness caused by spasticity in MS. It also improves muscle movement and relieves pain from spasticity.
Read the NIH’s information on
baclofen.
Brand Name: Dantrium®
Chemical Name: dantrolene (DAN-troe-leen)
Generic Available: Yes
Description: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant for relief of cramping, spasms and tightness of muscles (spasticity) caused by MS and other conditions. Dantrolene works by halting electrical impulses traveling throughout skeletal muscles, thereby preventing muscle contractions. This is different from how most other spasticity medications work (as others work by inhibiting the way the brain and spinal cord communicate through the nerves with the rest of the body).
Read NIH’s information on
dantrolene. " c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">Help Managing Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis
Medication can play a crucial role in alleviating multiple sclerosis symptoms — including
spasticity. Spasticity refers to feelings of stiffness and a wide range of involuntary muscle spasms. It’s a common symptom of MS. When combined with other vital elements of comprehensive MS care, MS symptom medications can help you manage this symptom and improve your overall quality of life.
The medications on this page are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat spasticity in MS. Discuss your MS treatment plan with your healthcare provider.
FDA-Approved Medications for Spasticity in MS
Baclofen
Brand Names: Gablofen® (intrathecal injection),
Lioresal® (intrathecal injection),
Lyvispah™ (oral granules) and
Fleqsuvy™ (oral suspension)
Chemical Name: baclofen (bak-loe-fen)
Generic Available: Yes
Description: Baclofen acts on the central nervous system to relieve spasms, cramping and muscle tightness caused by spasticity in MS. It also improves muscle movement and relieves pain from spasticity.
Read the NIH’s information on
baclofen.
BOTOX®
Brand Name: BOTOX
Chemical Name: onabotulinumtoxin A
Generic Available: No
Description: Onabotulinumtoxin A (BOTOX) is a powerful neurotoxin that temporarily blocks connections between the nerves and the muscles, resulting in short-term relaxation of the targeted muscle. Botox is administered by injection.
BOTOX is approved by the FDA to treat:
- Upper limb spasticity in adults, to relieve increased muscle tone in elbow flexors (biceps), wrist flexors, and finger flexors, including thumb flexor muscles. Upper limb spasticity can occur in MS as well as other disorders.
- Lower limb spasticity in adults, to relieve increased muscle tone in ankle and toe flexors. Lower limb spasticity can occur in MS as well as other disorders.
- Urinary incontinence resulting from overactivity of the bladder detrusor muscle caused by MS or other neurologic conditions, in adults who have an inadequate response to anticholinergic medications or are unable to tolerate them.
Dantrolene
Brand Name: Dantrium®
Chemical Name: dantrolene (DAN-troe-leen)
Generic Available: Yes
Description: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant for relief of cramping, spasms and tightness of muscles (spasticity) caused by MS and other conditions. Dantrolene works by halting electrical impulses traveling throughout skeletal muscles, thereby preventing muscle contractions. This is different from how most other spasticity medications work (as others work by inhibiting the way the brain and spinal cord communicate through the nerves with the rest of the body).
Read NIH’s information on
dantrolene.