Betaseron®
Interferon beta-1b
Quick Facts
Betaseron® is an interferon beta-1b immune system modulator with antiviral properties.
Self-injected under the skin
0.3 mg subcutaneous injection every other day
Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary-progressive MS
Potential Benefit:
Betaseron reduces the annual relapse rate by approximately 30% compared to placebo. On MRI, Betaseron reduced disease activity by 80% compared to placebo.
Common Potential Side Effects
Flu-like symptoms, injection-site skin reaction, white blood count and liver test abnormalities.
Prescription Assistance:
For assistance finding additional resources that might help cover the costs of your prescription, contact MSAA.
Hear from the Expert
Annette Howard, MD
“Now a person can get a diagnosis of MS and get on an excellent treatment like Betaseron® and they can live out their lives as they have dreamed.”
DRUGMAKER
Bayer
HOW Betaseron® WORKS
Betaseron® was the first FDA-approved MS treatment. Betaseron®, an interferon, is an anti-inflammatory disease-modifying therapy. Interferons are proteins that occur naturally in the immune system. Betaseron® is thought to work by reducing the body’s immune response and the number of cells that attack the myelin sheaths around nerves.
FDA-Approved
Betaseron® was FDA-approved in 1993, with prescribing information revised in 2012, to treat relapsing forms of MS, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary-progressive disease, in adults.
Potential Side Effects
Flu-like symptoms, headache, injection-site reactions, white blood count abnormalities, depression, diarrhea, muscular or joint pain infections, changes in menstruation, mood changes, depression, liver abnormalities, allergic reactions, hypertension, hair thinning or loss.
OTHER KEY INFORMATION
Testing completed prior to starting Betaseron® includes:
- Complete blood counts
- Liver profile
- Thyroid function Tests
Every 3 months in year one of taking Betaseron®, the following testing is also required:
- Blood tests
- Liver function test
Monitoring frequency is established by the doctor and individual living with MS. After the first year, testing is done less frequently.
Extavia, a disease-modifying therapy developed by Novartis and FDA Approved in 2009, is the same medicinal product as Betaseron and is given in the same doses.
Patient advocates talk about
their treatment experience
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Kristie Salerno Kent
“I have had situations where treatments aren’t approved at first. My doctors, nurses, they actually go to bat for me and made it happen.” -
Azure Antoinette
"I will be undergoing my first disease-modifying therapy to help treat multiple sclerosis in my body and while I’m very nervous, I am equally as excited and looking forward to the positive effects of how I will feel physically, and mentally, and emotionally." -
Damian Washington
“Nobody’s going to be looking out for your best interests better than you.” -
Cathy Chester
“I think it’s really important to talk about how to age with this illness.” -
Lauren Hutton-Work
“Just because you have this disease does not mean that your work life should be awkward or uncomfortable.” -
Chernise Joseph
“My first neurologist was a frontline neurologist, he wasn’t an MS specialist.” -
Julian Gamboa
“If you’re newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis remember it’s always okay to get a second opinion.” -
Lauren and Sam Alcorn
“Our future is uncertain and we have to enjoy each other and love each other in the present.” -
Shawn Feliciano
“I want to know what medications might work best for someone who’s Hispanic.” -
Darlene Feigen
“The sooner you get on a therapy the better it is in the long run.” -
Birgit Bauer
“At the end of the appointment you should have an answer to the most important questions.” -
Ellen Tutton
“I looked up all the different disease-modifying therapies and compared them to my lifestyle.” -
Victoria Marie Reese
“I’m trying to show my daughter that taking care of yourself is cool.”
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