II. Indications
-
Multiple Sclerosis - Relapsing Remitting
- Interferon has the longest use in MS than any of the other immunomodulators
III. Mechanism
-
Interferon is an endogenous Cytokine (integral to inflammatory and immune responses)
- Released from Lymphocytes, Dendritic Cells, Macrophages, fibroblasts, Natural Killer Cells and T Cells
-
Interferon is subdivided into three main types (alpha, beta, gamma)
- Alpha and beta Interferon both have Antiviral activity
- Synthesized alpha Interferon has primarily been used for Viral Hepatitis B and C infection, as well as cancer
- Synthesized beta Interferon has primarily been used to treat Multiple Sclerosis
-
Interferon Beta is a type 1 Interferon, a Cytokine produced by fibroblasts
- Released in response to viral contact or DS-DNA
- Has Antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulator activity
IV. Medications
- Interferon Beta-1B (Betaseron, Extavia): 0.3 mg single-dose vial (needs reconstitution)
V. Dosing
- Week 1-2: Give 0.0625 mg (0.25 ml) SQ every other day
- Week 3-4: Give 0.125 mg (0.5 ml) SQ every other day
- Week 5-6: Give 0.1875 mg (0.75 ml) SQ every other day
- Maintenance: 0.25 mg (1 ml) SC every other day
- Consider pretreat with Analgesics and Antihistamines to reduce flu-like reactions
VI. Adverse Effects
- Allergic Reactions (including Anaphylaxis)
- Local injection site inflammation
- Influenza-like symptoms (decreases after first 3 months)
- Mental health adverse effects
- Exacerbation of depressed mood (including increased Suicidality)
- Psychosis
- Hematologic Effects
- Hepatotoxicity
- Increased liver transaminases
- Risk of liver failure
- Avoid with other Hepatotoxins
- Monitor Liver Function Tests
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Autoimmune disorders (including Drug-induced Lupus)
- Seizures
VII. Safety
- Unknown safety in Lactation
- Unknown safety in pregnancy
- No observed adverse effects in pregnancy in studies
- Monitoring (obtain at 1, 3 and 6 months)
VIII. Efficacy
- Decreases Multiple Sclerosis exacerbation frequency
- Decreased risk of Disability progression
- Decreased MS related CNS Lesions
IX. Resources
X. References
- Filippini (2003) Lancet 361:545-52
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Related Studies
betaseron (on 5/26/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
BETASERON 0.3 MG KIT | $602.97 each |
Ontology: interferon beta-1b (C0244713)
Definition (NCI) | A recombinant form of the natural Interferon beta that varies in the amino acid sequence and lacks the carbohydrate side chain. Clinical Use: Multiple Sclerosis. |
Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein (T116) , Immunologic Factor (T129) |
MSH | C044327 |
SnomedCT | 386903009, 108751004 |
LNC | LP101506-6 |
English | IFN-beta ser, interferon beta, Ser(17)-, interferon beta, serine(17)-, Ser(17) IFN-beta, serine(17) interferon beta, beta-IFN-1b, interferon beta + 1b, interferon beta-1b (medication), INTERFERON BETA-1B, interferon beta-1b [Chemical/Ingredient], interferon beta 1b, 1b beta interferon, Interferon.beta 1b, Interferon beta-1b, Interferon beta-1b product, Interferon beta-1b (substance), Interferon beta-1b preparation (product), Interferon beta-1b preparation, Interferon beta-1b preparation (substance), Beta-ser-interferon, Interferon Beta-1B, Recombinant interferon beta-1b, interferon beta-1b, Interferon Beta-1b |
Spanish | preparado de interferón beta - 1b, interferón beta-1b (producto), preparado de interferón beta-1b (producto), interferón beta-1b, preparado de interferón beta-1b, interferón beta - 1b (sustancia), interferón beta - 1b, preparado de interferón beta - 1b (sustancia), preparado de interferón beta-1b (sustancia) |
Ontology: Betaseron (C0284968)
Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein (T116) |
MSH | C044327 |
English | Beta-Seron, Betaseron, beta-seron, beta seron, betaseron, Bayer brand of recombinant interferon beta-1b |
Ontology: Extavia (C2719461)
Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein (T116) , Immunologic Factor (T129) |
MSH | C044327 |
English | Extavia, Novartis pharmaceuticals brand of recombinant interferon beta-1b |