A to Z of MS Beta interferon 1b

Product name

Betaferon (UK), Betaseron (North America).

Betaferon is a disease modifying drug, licensed for relapsing remitting MS and some people with secondary progressive MS. Studies have shown that on average Betaferon reduces the relapse rate in people with relapsing remitting MS by about a third and also reduces the severity of those relapses that do occur.

Betaferon is also licensed for clinically isolated syndrome, an individual's first neurologic episode. The 2009 ABN prescribing guidelines state that neurologists may consider the use of beta interferon for people within 12 months of a clinically isolated syndrome when MRI evidence predicts a high likelihood of recurrent episodes.

Betaferon is prescribed under the Department of Health's Risk-sharing Scheme.

How beta interferon works

Interferons are proteins that occur naturally in the immune system. It is thought that beta interferon acts by reducing both inflammation and the immune response that is attacking the body's own myelin.

How is Betaferon given?

Betaferon is injected under the skin every other day.

Side effects and contraindications

Flu like symptoms following injections. These tend to reduce over time and are usually no longer a problem after three months on treatment. Injection site reactions such as redness, swelling, and occasionally itching or some pain at the site. These also reduce over time.

Reference

IFNB Multiple Sclerosis Study Group.
Interferon beta-1b in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: final outcome of the randomized controlled trial.
Neurology 1995;45:1277-1285.
abstract

Association of British Neurologists (ABN)
Revised (2009) guidelines for prescribing in multiple sclerosis.
London; ABN: November 2009.
download (pdf 160kb)

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