Disease modifying therapies
Disease modifying therapies (DMTs) aren't a cure for MS. But they can make a real difference to many people’s MS.
DMTs can change for the better how MS develops over time. Most of them work against relapsing remitting MS. But we now also have DMTs for some types of progressive MS.
These treatments reduce how many relapses you get. If you get a relapse in the future, it’s likely to be less serious. DMTs can slow down the damage caused by MS that builds up over time. Some people might even see some of their symptoms get better to some degree. But DMTs can’t undo damage to nerves that’s left you with a serious disability.
How do DMTs for MS work?
DMTs change how your immune system behaves. Your immune system causes inflammation to nerves in your brain or spinal cord. DMTs dampen down this inflammation. If it’s left untreated, inflammation will damage these nerves.
Your immune system also launches attacks on these nerves. That’s what a relapse is. During these attacks the fatty myelin coating around the nerves gets stripped away. This damaged myelin is what then causes symptoms of MS.
DMTs stop these attacks. That means you not only get fewer relapses, but also fewer lesions. These are areas of nerve damage seen on scans of your brain or spinal cord. DMTs also slow down how fast your disability or symptoms gets worse over time.
How many DMTs are there for MS?
There are around 20 DMTs for MS now available in the UK on the NHS. They come as pills, injections or infusions (a ‘drip’). One treatment called HSCT is a stem cell therapy. Sometimes you’ll also hear DMTs called ‘disease modifying drugs’ or DMDs.
Generic and biosimilar DMTs
A growing number of DMTs for MS now come with either ‘generic’ or ‘biosimilar’ versions. These are either identical or very similar versions of the original MS drug they’re based on. Generic drugs are identical to the original drug. Biosimilar drugs are very similar to the original drug.
Read about generic and biosimilar DMTs
DMT decision tool
Our DMT decision tool is here to help you explore your DMT options. It can help you be more ready for conversations about treatment with your neurologist or MS nurse.
Explore disease modifying treatments for MS
Alemtuzumab is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for very active relapsing MS. Its brand name is Lemtrada. You take it as an infusion. Most people only ever need two infusions.
Avonex is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for relapsing MS. It’s a brand name of one of the beta interferon drugs. You inject it into a muscle once a week.
Cladribine is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for active and very active relapsing MS. Its brand name is Mavenclad. You take it as just two courses of tablets a year apart.
Dimethyl fumarate is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for active relapsing MS. Its brand name is Tecfidera. You take it as a tablet twice a day.
Diroximal fumarate is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for active relapsing MS. Its brand name is Vumerity. You take it as a tablet twice a day.
Fingolimod is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for very active relapsing MS. Its brand name is Gilenya. You take it as a tablet once a day.
Glatiramer acetate is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) forrelapsing MS. Its brand names are Copaxone and Brabio. You inject it under the skin once a day or three times a week, depending on the dose.
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an intense chemotherapy treatment for very active MS. It aims to stop the damage MS causes by wiping out and then regrowing your immune system. It does this by using your own stem cells.
Natalizumab is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for very active relapsing MS. Its brand names are Tysabri and Tyruko. You take Tysabri usually every four weeks. This is by injection under the skin given by a nurse or by infusion. Tyruko only comes as an infusion, which you have every four weeks.
Ocrelizumab is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for active relapsing MS. It can also treat early active primary progressive MS. Its brand name is Ocrevus. You have it every six months, either as an infusion or injection under the skin.
Ofatumumab is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for active relapsing MS. Its brand name is Kesimpta. You inject it under the skin once a month.
Ozanimod is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for active relapsing MS. Its brand name is Zeposia. You take it as a tablet once a day. It’s only available in Scotland.
Plegridy is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for relapsing MS. It’s a brand name of one of the beta interferon drugs. You inject it under the skin or into muscle every two weeks.
Ponesimod is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for active relapsing MS. Its brand name is Ponvory. You take it as a tablet once a day.
Rebif is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for relapsing MS. It’s a brand name of one of the beta interferon drugs. You take it as an injection three times a week.
Siponimod is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for active secondary progressive MS. Its brand name is Mayzent. You take it as a tablet once a day.
Teriflunomide is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for active relapsing MS. Its brand name is Aubagio. You take it as a tablet once a day.
Ublituximab is a disease modifying therapy (DMT) for active relapsing MS. Its brand name is Briumvi. You take it as an infusion twice a year.
Last full review: 1 May 2026
Next review date: 1 May 2029
We also update when we know about important changes.
You may also be interested in
Helpful resources
From symptoms and treatments to accessing care and support, our booklets and factsheets are packed full of information and tips on living well with MS.
You can download them from our website or order copies from our online shop.
