Copolymer-1 in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Recent research in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has yielded new therapies. Specifically, copolymer-1, a mixture of synthetic polypeptides composed of four amino acids has been effective in reducing relapse rates and disability in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. In a two-year multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 251 patients, copolymer-1 was shown to reduce relapses by an average of 29% when compared with placebo. Sustained disability was also slightly reduced in the copolymer-1-treated group. The results of the clinical trial indicate that copolymer-1 positively alters the course of relapsing-remitting MS. With the present availability of copolymer-1, nurses are challenged to maintain current knowledge of nursing implications, interventions, patient education and goals for treatment.