Groundbreaking New MS Treatment Available in Minn.

Updated: 04/06/2015 10:21 PM Created: 04/06/2015 7:29 PM KSTP.com By: Joe Mazan

A groundbreaking new treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) is now available in the U.S. and is being used to treat patients in Minnesota.

The drug Lemtrada was initially denied approval by the Food and Drug Administration but the decision was reversed, after a big outcry from the MS patient community.

Whereas other treatments include daily pills or injections, Lemtrada is given for five straight days the first year, followed by three consecutive days 12 months later.

"Symptoms do tend to improve over the long haul," Dr. Jonathan Calkwood, with Schapiro Center for MS, said. "We see this with some more of the highly effective therapies where day to day neurological symptoms improve but our goal really is to prevent long term disability."

It's estimated MS affects more than 2 million people throughout the world, including 400,000 people in the U.S.

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Groundbreaking New MS Treatment Available in Minn.