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  • Plegridy®
Back to Treatment Guide

Plegridy®

peginterferon beta-1a

Quick Facts

Pegylated form of interferon beta-1a. The pegylation process allows interferon beta-1a to last longer in the body.

Self-injected under skin or into muscle.

Once every two weeks.

Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary-progressive MS

Potential Benefit:

Over 1 year compared to placebo:

  • 36% fewers relapses
  • 38% lower risk of disability progression.
  • 67% reduction in new or newly enlarging T2 lesions and 86% reduction in Gd-enhanced lesions

Common Potential Side Effects

Flu-like symptoms, injection-site skin reaction, white blood cell count and liver test abnormalities.

Prescription Assistance:

Biogen Support Services >

For assistance finding additional resources that might help cover the costs of your prescription, contact MSAA.

Hear from the Expert
Jeffrey English, MD
Medical Director, The Multiple Sclerosis Center of Atlanta
Jeffrey English, MD
“We know from years of research that early treatment is most important for delaying disability progression.”

DRUGMAKER

Biogen

HOW Plegridy® WORKS

Plegridy® is a long-acting interferon. Interferons are proteins occurring naturally in the immune system. Plegridy® is thought to reduce inflammation and impede the immune response of attacking the body’s own myelin.

FDA-Approved

Plegridy® was FDA-approved in 2014 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, injection-site skin reaction, depression, white blood cell count and liver test abnormalities. Serious potential adverse events include liver failure. Potential side effects are usually temporary and manageable. Blood tests can monitor liver enzymes, blood-cell counts, and neutralizing antibodies.

OTHER KEY INFORMATION

Testing c:ompleted prior to starting Plegridy® includes:

  • Blood Count
  • Chemistry/liver function tests
  • Pregnancy test

Regular testing completed every sixth months after starting Plegridy® includes:

  • Blood count
  • Chemistry/liver function tests

Patient advocates talk about
their treatment experience

  • Kristie Salerno Kent
    MS Advocate, Patient Advocacy Consultant
    Kristie Salerno Kent
    “I have had situations where treatments aren’t approved at first. My doctors, nurses, they go actually go to bat for me and made it happen.”
  • Azure Antoinette
    MS Advocate
    Azure Antoinette
    “I wish would have had access or agency to get seen sooner and to treat this sooner.”
  • Damian Washington
    MS Advocate
    Damian Washington
    “Nobody’s going to be looking out for your best interests better than you.”
  • Cathy Chester
    MS Advocate
    Cathy Chester
    “I think it’s really important to talk about how to age with this illness.”
  • Lauren Hutton-Work
    MS Advocate
    Lauren Hutton-Work
    “Just because you have this disease does not mean that your work life should be awkward or uncomfortable.”
  • Chernise Joseph
    MS Advocate
    Chernise Joseph
    “My first neurologist was a frontline neurologist, he wasn’t an MS specialist.”
  • Julian Gamboa
    MS Advocate
    Julian Gamboa
    “If you’re newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis remember it’s always okay to get a second opinion.”
  • Sam and Lauren Alcorn
    MS Advocates
    Sam and Lauren Alcorn
    “Our future is uncertain and we have to enjoy each other and love each other in the present.”
  • Shawn Feliciano
    MS Advocate
    Shawn Feliciano
    “I want to know what medications might work best for someone who’s Hispanic.”
  • Darlene Feigen
    MS Advocate
    Darlene Feigen
    “The sooner you get on a therapy the better it is in the long run.”
  • Birgit Bauer
    MS Advocate
    Birgit Bauer
    “At the end of the appointment you should have an answer to the most important questions.”
  • Ellen Tutton
    MS Advocate
    Ellen Tutton
    “I looked up all the different disease modifying therapies and compared them to my lifestyle.”
  • Victoria Marie Reese
    MS Advocate
    Victoria Marie Reese
    “I’m trying to show my daughter that taking care of yourself is cool.”
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Last modified: Aug 4, 2022

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