Understanding Blood Pressure Risks with MS Treatments

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Key Takeaway

Patients with MS taking teriflunomide may have a higher chance of developing high blood pressure than those taking dimethyl fumarate.

What They Found

The study looked at two groups of people with MS: one group took teriflunomide and the other took dimethyl fumarate. They found that for every 1,000 people treated with teriflunomide, about 41 developed high blood pressure each year. In contrast, only about 13 out of 1,000 people taking dimethyl fumarate developed the same condition. This means that teriflunomide users were more than twice as likely to get high blood pressure compared to those on dimethyl fumarate. The researchers also discovered that if 16 people were treated with teriflunomide, one would likely develop high blood pressure within three years.

Who Should Care and Why

This finding is important for MS patients because high blood pressure can lead to other health problems, like heart disease. Understanding this risk can help patients and their caregivers to monitor their blood pressure more closely. Patients on teriflunomide might need to visit their doctor more often to check their blood pressure. Caregivers can help remind patients to take their blood pressure medication if needed, just like how it's important to remember to eat healthy snacks. Overall, knowing this risk can help everyone make better choices about treatment options and health care.

Important Considerations

The study focused only on patients in Denmark, so results might be different in other countries. It also looked at people who didn't have high blood pressure before starting treatment, so we don't know how those already with high blood pressure might be affected. Lastly, while the study shows a connection between teriflunomide and high blood pressure, it doesn't prove that teriflunomide causes high blood pressure directly.

Categories:

Treatment Updates Living with MS MS Progression

Article Topics:

Teriflunomidedimethyl fumaratehypertensionmultiple sclerosissafety

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or are seeking to broaden your understanding of this complex, neurodegenerative disease, navigating the latest research can feel overwhelming. Studies published in respected medical journals like Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England) often range from early-stage, exploratory work to advanced clinical trials. These evidence-based findings help shape new disease-modifying therapies, guide symptom management techniques, and deepen our knowledge of MS progression.

However, not all research is created equal. Some clinical research studies may have smaller sample sizes, evolving methodologies, or limitations that warrant careful interpretation. For a more comprehensive, accurate understanding, we recommend reviewing the original source material—accessible via the More Details section above—and consulting with healthcare professionals who specialize in MS care.

By presenting a wide range of MS-focused studies—spanning cutting-edge treatments, emerging therapies, and established best practices—we aim to empower patients, caregivers, and clinicians to stay informed and make well-informed decisions when managing Multiple Sclerosis.

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