Medication for Relapsing Remitting: What Works, What to Avoid

When you’re diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, a form of MS where symptoms flare up and then partially or fully fade. Also known as RRMS, it’s the most common type of MS, affecting about 85% of people at diagnosis. The goal isn’t to cure it — but to reduce how often flares happen, slow down long-term damage, and keep you living well. That’s where disease-modifying therapies, medications designed to change how the immune system attacks the nervous system come in. These aren’t painkillers or quick fixes. They’re long-term tools that work behind the scenes to lower the number of relapses and delay disability.

Not all medications work the same way. Some are injectables you give yourself weekly or monthly, like interferon beta-1a or glatiramer acetate. Others are oral pills — dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide — that fit easily into daily routines. Then there are infusions, like ocrelizumab or natalizumab, given in a clinic every few months. Each has different risks, side effects, and effectiveness levels. For example, some drugs work better for people with frequent flares, while others are chosen if you’ve tried other treatments without success. Your age, other health conditions, and even your lifestyle play a role in picking the right one. You don’t just pick the most powerful drug — you pick the one that fits your life.

It’s also important to know what doesn’t help. Supplements, herbal teas, or unproven diets won’t replace these medications. While some people use them alongside treatment, they’re not substitutes. And skipping doses or stopping meds because you feel fine? That’s a common mistake. Relapsing remitting MS can be silently active even when you don’t have symptoms. The damage builds up over time. That’s why sticking with your plan matters more than you might think.

Below, you’ll find real comparisons of medications used for this condition — what they’re like to take, how they stack up against each other, and what people actually experience. From cost and side effects to how often you need to visit a clinic, these guides cut through the noise. No fluff. Just what you need to understand your options and talk smarter with your doctor.