New MS Pill May Reduce Relapses

A new drug reduces the relapse rate for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), research suggests. Most MS drugs are injectable. The new one, teriflunomide, is taken as a pill. The study included 1,088 people who had “relapsing-remitting” MS. People with this form of the disease have periods with and without symptoms. People in the study were randomly divided into 3 groups. Two groups were assigned to take teriflunomide, in different doses. The third group took a placebo (fake pill). People took a pill each day for more than 2 years. In that time, both groups taking the real drug had 31% fewer relapses than those who got the placebo. Serious side effects were similar in all 3 groups. People who got the real drug were more likely to have some mild side effects. They also were more likely to have high levels of an enzyme that can indicate liver damage.