[Treatments of multiple sclerosis]

In the absence of any treatment that can significantly alter the long-term course of multiple sclerosis, all current treatments are symptomatic. Urinary complications must absolutely be prevented and treated. During acute episodes corticosteroids are effective in the short term, but they cannot be used for prolonged periods. Maintenance treatments are still being evaluated in controlled studies. In patients with rapidly progressive multiple sclerosis immunosuppressants can be prescribed under close medical supervision.