Side effects of drugs

Because drugs have powerful effects on a condition, they can also have powerful side (that is, unwanted) effects on other things. It is a good idea to be informed about the possible side effects of the drugs that you are taking; you will be able to assess the balance yourself between the effects and the side effects, and you will be alerted sufficiently to inform your GP, neurologist or MS Specialist Nurse about them, if they are worrying you.
Your medical practitioner (GP, neurologist or MS Specialist Nurse) should discuss possible side effects with you when your drug(s) are prescribed, including any side effects from combining two or more drugs. If your GP does not, you should ask explicitly about this issue. If you are still unclear or concerned, the pharmacist where you get your prescriptions has expert knowledge about drugs and their effects, and should be willing to answer questions about them. Furthermore, they can inform you about over-the-counter drug therapies that you may purchase, and their potential side effects and interactions with other drugs.
Several organizations (including the Consumers’ Association and British Medical Association – see Appendix 1) publish excellent family health guides that contain detailed and up-to-date information about drugs and other treatments. It is vital that you use a British edition of any guide, as brand names are frequently changed from country to country. Some titles are included in Appendix 2 at the back of this book.

Combination therapy

Beta-interferon or glatiramer acetate and steroids can be taken at the same time but only after careful assessment by your neurologist. Even if you are taking beta-interferon 1b or beta-interferon 1a or glatiramer acetate, you may have a relapse, but probably to a lesser degree than you would have done without the treatment. In this situation, you may well be offered steroids – possibly a combination of methylprednisolone and prednisolone. The objective is to provide an additional means of reducing the inflammation, despite the use of beta-interferons, and reduce your symptoms.