You may be started on a lower dose when you first start taking Betaseron. Your doctor will tell you what dose of Betaseron to use, and that dose may change based on how your body responds. You should not change your dose without talking with your doctor. If you miss a dose, you should take your next dose as soon as you remember or are able to take it. Your next injection should be taken about 48 hours (two days) after that dose. Do not take Betaseron on two consecutive days. If you accidentally take more than your prescribed dose, or take it on two consecutive days, call your doctor right away. You should always follow your doctors instructions and advice about how to take this medication.
Interferon
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Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answeredBetaseron is given by injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) every other day. If your doctor feels that you, or a family member or friend, may give you Betaseron injections, then you and/or the other person should be trained by your doctor or healthcare provider in how to give an injection. Do not try to give yourself (or have another person give you) injections at home until you (or both of you) understand and are comfortable with how to prepare your dose and give the injection. -
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Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answeredIf you are taking zidovudine, interferon beta may not be a good option for you.
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Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answeredSide effects may include weakness, sweating, dry mouth or eyes, vision changes, dizziness, drowsiness, shortness of breath, and a rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat. Some people may have nausea, constipation, diarrhea, hair loss, ankle or leg swelling, muscle cramps, poor coordination, and seizures. Other side effects may include pain in the chest, abdomen, back, joints, bones, or muscles, urinary incontinence, menstrual disorders, and erection problems.
Other side effects may include pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, flu-like symptoms, respiratory or urinary tract infections, insomnia, anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts. People may also have hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thoughts or speech (psychosis). Other side effects may include swollen lymph nodes, thyroid problems, low platelet and white blood cell counts, and abnormal liver enzyme levels.
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Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answeredYour doctor will need to do a complete blood count and liver function tests before you start treatment.
If you have a seizure disorder or myelosuppression, interferon beta may not be a good option for you.
If you have a history of alcohol abuse, interferon beta may not be a good option for you.
If you have had heart disease or liver disease, interferon beta may not be a good option for you.
If you have a mood disorder, including depression, interferon beta may not be a good option for you.
If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or may be pregnant, interferon beta may not be a good option for you. It is not known if it is safe for pregnant women.
If you are breastfeeding, interferon beta may not be a good option for you. It is not known if this drug can be passed into breast milk.
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Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answeredInterferon drugs reduce the number of relapses by about 30% in people with relapsing-remitting MS. They also slow disability and development of new brain lesions on MRI.
Early treatment with interferon may help prevent or delay nerve damage and disability in people with MS. Sometimes, the drug is prescribed for people who have had one episode of MS symptoms (clinically isolated syndrome), but who are not yet diagnosed with MS.
Interferon drugs can reduce the number of relapses in some people with secondary-progressive MS. But they do not prevent this type of MS from getting worse over time.
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Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answeredInterferon beta is a natural protein that helps control the immune system. When given as an injection, it limits the ability of the immune system to attack and damage the brain. Interferons have been used for many years as a first-line treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). They are considered one of the safer disease-modifying drugs for MS, and often need less monitoring.
There are 3 types of interferon beta for people with MS. Interferon beta-1a is taken as an injection in a muscle once a week (Avonex), or as an injection under the skin 3 times a week (Rebif). Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron, Extavia) is taken as an injection under the skin every other day. Peginterferon beta-1a (Plegridy) is taken as an injection under the skin once every 2 weeks. The 3 types have similar effectiveness.
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredSee All 2 AnswersAvoid pregnancy while taking Betaseron (interferon beta-1b), as the drug may have harmful effects to an unborn baby. You should also avoid infections and complications by using injection kits and medications properly and disposing of needles and syringes appropriately. Do not take more than one dose within 48 hours.
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredI have never seen any information on taking Betaseron orally, but there have been very small studies on oral interferon beta-1a use. While it appears to be safe, it was not effective for MS when taken orally. Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) is intended only for injection under the skin every other day.
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredAs with any drug, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing before beginning treatment. Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) may cause a miscarriage. So if you are taking Betaseron, be sure to use a reliable form of birth control. If you become pregnant while taking Betaseron, stop treatment and consult your doctor immediately. Effects of Betaseron on a nursing infant are unknown, so women should not plan on breast-feeding while taking Betaseron.