Infusion Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Infusion therapy is a treatment that delivers medication directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) line. Because the medication enters the bloodstream directly, infusion therapy can provide precise dosing and close monitoring throughout treatment.

For people with multiple sclerosis (MS), infusion therapy may be used to administer certain disease-modifying treatments that help manage the condition. These medications require specialized preparation, dosing and monitoring by experienced infusion nurses, pharmacists and neurology specialists.

Depending on your treatment plan, infusions may be given every few weeks, every few months or at other intervals recommended by your provider. During treatment, your infusion care team closely monitors your response while working directly with your MS specialist to ensure coordinated, personalized care.

Infusion therapy may be used to administer disease-modifying treatments for MS. These medications are designed to target the immune system activity that contributes to inflammation and damage within the central nervous system. Some therapies work by reducing the activity of specific immune cells, while others help prevent those cells from reaching the brain and spinal cord.

Depending on your diagnosis and treatment goals, infusion medications may help:

• Reduce the frequency of MS relapses.
• Slow disease progression.
• Decrease new disease activity seen on MRI scans.
• Limit inflammation that can damage the brain and spinal cord.
• Support long-term management of relapsing forms of MS.

Your neurologist will recommend the treatment that best fits your condition, disease activity and overall health. Because these medications require specialized monitoring and administration, they are delivered in a dedicated infusion setting by experienced infusion nurses and pharmacists working alongside your MS care team.

Before beginning infusion therapy, your neurology provider will determine whether treatment is appropriate for your condition and treatment goals. Lab work or other testing may be needed before treatment and periodically throughout your care.

During your infusion visit, you can expect:

• Treatment in a comfortable, monitored infusion setting.
• Care from specially trained infusion nurses who work closely with your MS care team.
• Ongoing monitoring during and after treatment, when needed.
• Coordination of lab work, imaging and other services as part of your overall care plan.
• Personalized support from a multidisciplinary team that may include neurologists, pharmacists, nurses and care coordinators.

The length of your appointment will vary depending on the medication being administered and your individual treatment plan.

Infusion therapy is just one part of your MS care. At UC Health, your infusion team works closely with MS specialists at the Waddell Center for Multiple Sclerosis.

• Coordinated care from one connected team. Your neurologist, infusion nurses, pharmacists and care coordinators collaborate throughout your treatment to provide seamless communication and personalized support.
• Access to advanced treatments and clinical research. UC Health is actively involved in MS research and clinical trials, providing access to innovative therapies and emerging treatment options.
• Comprehensive support beyond infusion therapy. Patients benefit from integrated services including specialty pharmacy, rehabilitation, imaging, laboratory testing and other neuroscience resources across the UC Health system.

Call 513-584-8392 to schedule an infusion appointment.