Examples
|
| interferon beta | Avonex, Betaseron, Extavia, Rebif |
Avonex is injected into the muscle of the thigh, upper arm, or
hip once a week. Rebif is injected beneath the skin 3 times a week. Betaseron
is injected beneath the skin every other day.
Why It Is Used
Interferon beta medicines are used
to treat people with MS who have relapses followed by periods of recovery
(relapsing-remitting MS).
Some people have only one episode of a neurological
symptom such as
optic neuritis. Yet
MRI tests suggest these people have MS. This is known
as a clinically isolated syndrome. Many of these people go on to develop MS
over time. In some cases, doctors will prescribe medicine (either interferon
beta or glatiramer) for people who have had a clinically isolated syndrome.
These medicines, when taken early or even before you have been diagnosed with
MS, may keep the disease from getting worse or extend your time without
disease.1
The interferon beta medicines have been tested only in
people age 18 and older. But they are frequently used in children who have
MS.
How Well It Works
Studies have shown that:
- Interferon beta medicines reduce severity of
relapses and decrease their frequency by about one-third.2
- People who take interferon beta develop fewer
areas of damage (lesions) on the brain as seen on MRI.2
- Treatment with interferon beta may reduce the
chance of disability in people who have relapsing-remitting MS.3
Side Effects
Side effects of interferon beta may
include:
- Flu-like symptoms—such as fatigue, chills,
fever, and muscle aches—for 1 to 2 days after an injection. These symptoms,
which may be temporarily debilitating for some people, usually do not continue
after 2 to 3 months of treatment. Taking a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or
acetaminophen just before and after each injection may help reduce these
symptoms.
- Headaches.
- Redness, swelling, or tenderness
at the injection site. Taking a
nonprescription pain reliever just before or after an injection can reduce this
side effect.
- Depression, which some doctors have
thought may increase with interferon beta use. The makers of these medicines and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have added a warning to the labels suggesting that these
medicines should be used with caution in people with existing depression or
other severe psychiatric disorders. Talk to your doctor before trying any of
these medicines if you have depression or other mood disorders, including
thoughts of suicide.
- Anxiety, confusion, and eating and sleeping
disturbances. These are not very common and may be related as much to MS as to
the treatment. Talk to your doctor if these symptoms last more than a day or
two.
People who are taking interferon beta need to have regular
blood tests (usually every 3 months in the beginning) to monitor white blood
cell counts and liver function, which can be affected by interferon
therapy.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Some people treated with
interferon have become depressed (feeling sad, feeling low, or feeling bad about
oneself). Depression is common in people with MS. If you are noticeably sadder
or feeling more hopeless, you should tell a family member or friend right away
and call your doctor as soon as possible. You should tell the doctor if you
have ever had any mental illness, including depression, and if you take any
medicines for depression.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that people with a definite diagnosis of MS and active relapsing disease start treatment with interferon or glatiramer. The group adds that medicine may also be considered after the first attack in some people at high risk for MS but before it is diagnosed.4
In addition to side effects, there are some drawbacks to
treatment with interferon beta:
- Treatment is not effective for some people. And
it is hard to predict whether the medicine will help a particular
person.
- The long-term risks of treatment are
unknown.
- Some experts worry that in some people interferon may
become less effective after long-term use because the body may produce
neutralizing
antibodies that may reduce the effect of the
medicine
- Treatment is costly.
Talk with your doctor if your MS relapses have not become
less severe or less frequent after 6 months of interferon therapy. It may be
time to consider other medicines.
As you consider your
treatment, talk with your doctor about the possible benefits of the medicine
compared with side effects, cost, and the possibility that the medicine could
become less effective over time.
Many doctors suggest you not take
interferon beta during pregnancy. Some studies in animals have shown an
increased risk of miscarriage. Women taking
interferon should use a reliable form of birth control if there is any chance
they could become pregnant. If you become pregnant while you are taking
interferon beta or are thinking about trying to become pregnant, talk to your
doctor.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Faggiano CM, et al. (2008). Recombinant interferon beta or glatiramer acetate for delaying conversion of the first demyelinating event to multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2).
- Sadiq SA (2005). Multiple sclerosis. In LP Rowland,
ed., Merritt's Neurology, 11th ed., pp. 941–963.
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- Nicholas R, Chataway J (2009). Multiple sclerosis,
search date June 2008. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence:
http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
- National Clinical Advisory Board of the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society (2007). Disease Management Consensus Statement. New York: National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Available
online:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/for-professionals/healthcare-professionals/publications/expert-opinion-papers/index.aspx.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology |
|---|
| Last Revised | February 18, 2010 |
|---|
Faggiano CM, et al. (2008). Recombinant interferon beta or glatiramer acetate for delaying conversion of the first demyelinating event to multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2).
Sadiq SA (2005). Multiple sclerosis. In LP Rowland,
ed., Merritt's Neurology, 11th ed., pp. 941–963.
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Nicholas R, Chataway J (2009). Multiple sclerosis,
search date June 2008. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence:
http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
National Clinical Advisory Board of the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society (2007). Disease Management Consensus Statement. New York: National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Available
online:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/for-professionals/healthcare-professionals/publications/expert-opinion-papers/index.aspx.
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