| Medicines that contain the interferon beta are similar | | | | body temperature, muscle aches that appear about a |
| to the natural interferon generated by the body in | | | | day after the administration of injections. |
| case of activation of the immune system when it | | | | * - Headaches that appear from the first six months |
| needs to fight a disease. These medications proved | | | | of treatments. Depending on their severity, the |
| their efficiency in case of viral infections and were | | | | doctor will decide whether to change the medicine to |
| also very helpful in problems involving the immune | | | | glatiramer acetate. |
| system. But the information related to their effect on | | | | * - Depression may appear, generated by interferon |
| MS is poor. But one of its widely known effects is | | | | beta medicines. The labels of these medications |
| the anti-inflammatory action. Interferon -beta also | | | | contain a mention of this possibility. Avonex is the |
| maintains the myelin. . | | | | one that generated most of this kind of side effects. |
| Interferon-beta seems to annihilate the effect of a | | | | It is not recommended for people with serious |
| very dangerous factor that activates MS symptoms: | | | | psychiatric problems, especially depression. In case of |
| gamma interferon. | | | | mood fluctuation, depression or suicidal ideas, the |
| Avonex is administered by injection into the muscle | | | | doctor should be immediately informed. |
| of the thigh, upper arm, or hip weekly. is also an | | | | * - The site where the injection was administered |
| injection that is inserted beneath the skin about 3 | | | | may inflame, turn red and present an increased |
| times in a week; Betaseron is administered the same | | | | sensitivity. Usually this is generated by Rebif and |
| way as Rebif every other day. | | | | Betaseron. A pain reliever that precedes and follows |
| The treatment including interferon beta medicines | | | | the injection may be the best solution. |
| deals with relapsing-remitting forms of MS .Although it | | | | * - Common symptoms to these of MS: anxiety, |
| is tested on adults and, thus, more recommended to | | | | confusion, loss of appetite and insomnia. In case they |
| them, interferon-beta is also used in children. | | | | last for more than 2 days, the doctor should know |
| Betaseron received the approval of U.S. Food and | | | | about it. |
| Drug Administration (FDA) in the treatment of people | | | | Blood tests are necessary for people on interferon |
| with secondary progressive MS | | | | beta treatment; so that their leucocytes and the |
| The Effectiveness | | | | liver's function may be monitored because this kind |
| Based on studies, it was proved that: | | | | of medications may seriously damage them. |
| Interferon beta treatment produced a significant | | | | The interferon beta medication mustn't be started |
| decrease in number and severity of MS relapses. | | | | until the MS diagnosis is a fact. Once it is diagnosed, |
| People who were administered Betaseron injections, | | | | this kind of therapy should be administered as soon |
| once in two days and those that used Rebif for | | | | as possible to prevent or stop the degradation of the |
| three times during a week were 1/3 less affected by | | | | nervous system functions due to the unpredictable |
| relapses. | | | | nature of the disease. |
| * - Less surfaces of the brain are affected by MS in | | | | The FDA and the producer of Avonex warn the |
| the people that are on interferon. There MRI scans | | | | people to avoid using this medicine in case of |
| have shown this improvement of the condition and | | | | depression or another psychiatric condition because it |
| also that interferon beta doesn't allow the formation | | | | makes their symptoms worse. Your doctor will tell |
| of lesions. | | | | you whether Avonex suits your case. |
| * - In case of relapsing remitted form, Avonex. Rebif | | | | The annoying part of interferon beta treatments is |
| or Betaseron prove their efficiency in minimizing | | | | represented by their side effects, that most |
| disability chances and in delaying it in other cases. | | | | frequently include flu like symptoms after the |
| * - Betaseron seems to delay the progress of MS in | | | | injection is administered. Ibuprofen, Napraxen or |
| the secondary progressive form and, thus, disability. | | | | Acetaminophen improve these symptoms and |
| * - Also for relapsing - remitted form of MS, Avonex | | | | increase your tolerance for higher doses of interferon |
| and Betaseron delay the cognitive impairment. | | | | beta compounds that really help MS. |
| Both Avonex and Betaseron have been approved by | | | | Except for their side effects interferon beta |
| FDA, the first one to deal with early lesions or | | | | treatment presents other disadvantages too: |
| changes of MS detected by MRI and the other - for | | | | - A person cannot be sure that the treatment will be |
| the other for the treatment for the secondary - | | | | effective in his/ her particular case; sometimes it may |
| progressive form and also that of relapsing - remitted | | | | just not work. |
| form. | | | | - The risks of long term medications haven't been |
| All three interferon beta compounds are effective, | | | | discovered yet. |
| but better results seem to be obtained from more | | | | - In time, interferon may loose its efficiency because |
| aggressive treatment (Betaseron, Rebif) compared | | | | the body learns how to annihilate its effects by |
| to the low doses of Avonex's effects. Rebif is more | | | | means of antibodies. |
| effective by 12 percents in the prevention of | | | | - It is a very expensive treatment, over ten |
| relapses than Avonex, says a study which also | | | | thousands $ each year |
| shows the superiority of Rebif to Avonex regarding | | | | This kind of treatment isn't appropriate for pregnant |
| the lesions of the brain: they were much fewer in | | | | women because it may produce a miscarriage. The |
| case of Rebif use. | | | | women that follow this treatment must use birth |
| Side effects: | | | | control methods. In case pregnancy occurs, see your |
| * - Similarly symptoms to those of flu: tiredness, high | | | | doctor as soon as possible and demand his advice. |