Table 3.

Effect of therapy on long-term adherence

Type	Injectables			Orals
Therapy	IFN-β	GA	Natalizumab	Fingolimod	Cladribine	Teriflunomide
Administration	++ weekly –3 times per week, sc/im	+++ daily sc	+ every 28 days, iv	–	–	–
Day-to-day	++	+	+	±	–	–
Risk of infections	–	–	+	+	±	–
Life threatening (malignancies/infections)	–	–	±	+	++	±
Pregnancy (FDA category)	C	B	C	?	D	?

Notes: Administration is the problem caused by the method and frequency of drug administration. Day-to-day is the ongoing side effects of therapy. The risk of infections requires increasing levels of surveillance by physicians and patients. Life-threatening side effects include infections, malignancy, and other causes of major clinical events.

Abbreviation: GA, glatiramer acetate.