Are You Taking Your MS Medication Regularly?

Treatment adherence (taking your multiple sclerosis medication regularly) can have a direct impact on how well you live with MS.  Not taking medication regularly has been associated with more relapses.   Many obstacles prevent medications from being taken regularly.  People with MS sometimes minimize the severity of the disease, forget to take doses, have needle phobia and/or experience treatment side effects.  Out-of-pocket costs and insurance issues can lead to a lapse in treatment. Partner with your healthcare provider(s) to find solutions to help you stay on path.

Specialty pharmacies are actually collecting data on whether you are refilling your medication regularly.  If you refill on time because your taking your medication as directed, you will have a high medication possession ratio.  As expected, low medication possession ratios on Copaxone and interferons have been associated with more MS relapses.

Educating yourself about MS and keeping long-term goals in mind will help you stick with your treatment plan.  If having side effects or injection site issues, talk to your doctor about ways to potential minimize these issues.  Alternative treatment options can be explored if desired.  Pharmaceutical companies that make the various MS meds can help with co-pay assistance and often provide free medication to uninsured or underinsured individuals if not on Medicare or Medicaid.  Patient assistance programs are available to help with costs for people on government insurance plans.