Betaseron

Brand Names

Interferon beta-1b

What is Betaseron

Betaseron belongs to the group of medications called immunomodulators. It is a form of a protein that is naturally made by our body's cells to fight infections and tumours. Betaseron is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is also used to delay the onset of MS in people who have experienced a single flare-up of symptoms and have changes that suggest MS in their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Betaseron may also be used to treat another type of MS known as SPMS (secondary progressive MS) who are still having relapses. In people with SPMS, the medication can reduce the frequency of relapses and reduce brain lesions seen on MRI scans.

Side effects of Betaseron

If you notice any of these side effects, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor:

• depressed mood, anxiety, trouble sleeping, restlessness, or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
• bruising, swelling, oozing, or skin changes where the injection was given
• weight changes, pounding heartbeats, feeling too hot or cold
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite
• dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious Betaseron side effects may include the followings:

• weakness
• headache
• muscle pain or weakness
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• stomach pain
• swelling in your hands or feet
• skin rash
• irregular menstrual periods

Indication

Betaseron is used for treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. It is applied as an injection and is administered every other day just under the skin. Doctors may also occasionally recommend off-label Betaseron uses. Using the medication for the treatment of other forms of multiple sclerosis is considered an off-label use. Please discuss the other indications and precaution with your doctor.

Precautions

Before you start taking Betaseron, please inform your doctor if:

• you are allergic to Betaseron or any other medications or human albumin.
• you are taking other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol.
• you have or have ever had anemia (low red blood cells) or low white blood cells, blood problems such as bruising easily or bleeding, diabetes, anxiety, depression, mental illness, thoughts of hurting yourself, seizures, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or prostate, skin, thyroid, blood, heart, or liver disease.
• you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Do not use Betaseron during pregnancy. Consult with your doctor about other alternatives.

Dosage forms

The recommended adult dose of Betaseron is 0.25 mg (8 MIU) injected subcutaneously (under the skin) every other day. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a lower dose (4 MIU every other day) for 2 weeks before increasing the dose to the recommended adult dose.

There are many factors that may affect the dose that a patient needs such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. Your doctor may recommend a dose different from the ones listed here, so do not change the way that you are using the medication until your doctor instructs you to do co.

Betaseron’s usage should be under the control of your doctor or nurse. Your doctor or nurse may ask you to inject the medication at home once they have instructed you and are certain that you won't have any problems with doing it at home. Do not attempt to prepare or inject this medication on your own until you completely understand how to mix and inject a dose.