Neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD)
A rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves of the eyes and the spinal cord.1 It can cause eye pain, sight loss, nerve pain and weak or numb arms and legs.1 Attacks are treated with high-dose steroids, and long-term medicines that calm the immune system help prevent new ones.1 It most often starts in a person's forties, and the form that keeps coming back affects about nine times more women than men.2
Read more about Neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD)Trial-stage treatments and research studies you can join
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Where treatment stands
There is no cure, but treatment can calm the swelling in the nerves, help manage symptoms and lower the chance of symptoms coming back.
Where research stands now
On 11 November 2026, 71 trials and studies of NMOSD were open, and 52 treatments were being tested in people. Of these treatments, 10 had reached phase 3, the last, largest trials before approval. From 5 November 2025 to 11 November 2026, articles reported 9 treatment studies in people, 15 in animals and 2 in the lab. On 11 November 2026, 4 medicines had a US approval and 4 an EU approval for NMOSD. Health pages say there is no cure yet, but treatment can lower the risk of new attacks.
Machine-written from the registry counts and the regulators' lists · 2026-11-11
We found 4 medicines approved for neuromyelitis optica in the EU, the US, Switzerland or France.
Approved: 4
Officially approved for this disease in the EU, the US, Switzerland or France.
The EU medicines agency (EMA) and its list of medicines in the EU, US prescribing labels (DailyMed, openFDA), the Swiss medicines register (Swissmedic), the French medicines database (ANSM) and the Health Canada drug database, checked on 11 November 2026. Every medicine links to its own official text.
A computer made this list from the official texts: it kept only medicines whose own approval text names the disease, wrote "Who it is for" from that text and checked it against the text a second time. People have not reviewed it yet.
Not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before you change any treatment.
Treatments approved outside the EU
We found no medicine for Neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD) approved in the US or Japan that is not approved in the EU. These are the ones approved in the EU.
Checked on 11 Nov 2026 in the official lists of the US (FDA), Japan (PMDA, approvals since April 2004) and the EU (EMA). 1 uncertain match is left out.
Your health insurer may pay part of the cost, sometimes all of it. This depends on your insurer, your plan and the country, so always ask your insurer before you go. For planned care in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, ask about form S2.
Support organisations
Patient organisations and helplines in United States, for you and your family.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD) organisations in United States
- Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
NIH information center (GARD) providing reliable information on genetic and rare diseases to patients and families via website and contact center.
- National Organization for Rare Disorders
US national rare disease alliance of patient organizations: education, patient assistance programs, rare disease database and policy advocacy.
General support in United States
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
US national 24/7 free and confidential lifeline for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, reachable by calling or texting 988 or by chat.
- MedlinePlus
Free, easy-to-read health information service of the US National Library of Medicine (NIH) on diseases, conditions, drugs and wellness.
International
General support
- European Patients' Forum (EPF)
Umbrella of European patient organisations and national patient coalitions.
- International Alliance of Patients' Organizations
Global alliance of patient organisations of all diseases, promoting patient-centred healthcare.
Offer tissue or data
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“Cures” others already fact-checked
- Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) & Neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD)Checked 11 Nov 2026
- Curcumin (turmeric) & Neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD)Checked 11 Nov 2026
- Stem cell treatment & Neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD)Checked 11 Nov 2026
- CBD (cannabidiol) & Neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD)Checked 11 Nov 2026
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About Neuromyelitis optica (NMOSD)
What is it?
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO, also called NMOSD or Devic's disease) is a rare autoimmune condition: the body's defence system attacks the nerves of the eyes (optic nerves) and the spinal cord.1 About 7 in 10 people make an antibody against a protein called aquaporin-4, which drives the attacks.2 What sets it off is not known; sometimes it starts after a virus such as flu.1
It affects about 1 to 2 in 100,000 people worldwide.2 It can start at any age but most often begins in a person's forties.2 It is more common in women and in people of Asian or Black African origin.1 It is usually not passed on in families, but it is more common in people who have, or whose close relatives have, other autoimmune conditions.1,2
The first signs
Signs come on over hours or days, usually last days or weeks, and then slowly get better.1
- eye pain and problems with sight or colour vision, in one or both eyes;1
- sharp, burning or shooting nerve pain in the back, neck, arms or legs;1
- weakness, numbness or paralysis in the arms or legs, and muscle spasms;1
- bladder or bowel problems;1
- being sick and hiccups.1
Some people only have the eye signs, others only the spinal cord signs.1
How doctors find out
Your family doctor sends you to a nerve specialist (neurologist).1 It can be hard to tell apart from other conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.1 Tests include blood tests, MRI scans of the brain and spinal cord, a lumbar puncture (a little fluid taken from the lower back), and eye and sight tests.1
Current treatment
Attacks are treated with high-dose steroids, plasma exchange or immunoglobulins, and relapses are prevented with long-term immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, prednisolone or rituximab.Source: NHS
Will it get worse?
It varies.1 Some people recover well with treatment, others have problems that last.1 In most people it comes back in attacks (relapses), weeks, months or years apart, with partial recovery in between.2,1 Attacks can leave lasting damage, such as sight loss or trouble walking.1,2 Less often, there is only one episode.2 Muscle weakness can make breathing difficult and can be life-threatening.2
Medicines: what helps, and what to watch for
An attack is treated with high-dose steroid injections.1 Plasma exchange (blood is taken out, treated and put back) or immunoglobulins (antibodies given into a vein through a drip) may also be used.1 To prevent new attacks, you take long-term medicines that calm the immune system, such as azathioprine, prednisolone tablets or rituximab.1
Other medicines ease the symptoms:1