MS Fact
More than twice as many women as men have MS.
Relapsing MS therapy options
There are many effective treatments available today that help people with MS and their associated conditions and symptoms. Disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) have been proven to alter the course of the disease. Other treatments are prescribed by your doctor to help manage symptoms.
Disease-modifying drugs: treating the disease
Disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) are the only medications proven to change the course of relapsing MS. DMDs are proven to reduce relapses and the development of new brain lesions on MRI, and some may even delay the progression of disability in relapsing MS in some cases. That's why many health care professionals think it's important to start DMD therapy as early as possible after diagnosis of relapsing MS.
The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disability progression, is unknown.
Currently, there are 6 disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) used for treating relapsing MS:
- Rebif® (interferon beta-1a)
- Avonex® (interferon beta-1a)
- Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b)
- Extavia® (interferon beta-1b)
- Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate injection)
- Tysabri® (natalizumab)
Relapsing MS therapy differences at a glance
Disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) for relapsing MS differ in how they are prepared and taken. The chart below provides an overview of dosing and administration for the current injectable relapsing MS DMD therapies.
|
|
Rebif®
(interferon beta-1a) |
Avonex®
(interferon beta-1a) |
Betaseron®
(interferon beta-1b) |
Extavia®
(interferon beta-1b) |
Copaxone®
(glatiramer acetate injection) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Route of
injection |
Under the skin
|
Into the muscle
|
Under the skin
|
Under the skin
|
Under the skin
|
|
|
Dosing
frequency |
3 times per week
|
Once per week
|
Every other day
|
Every other day
|
Every day
|
|
|
Number of
injections per year |
156
|
52
|
182
|
182
|
365
|
|
|
Prefilled,
preassembled syringes |
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
|
Auto-injector
available |
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
No conclusions regarding comparative safety or effectiveness of these products can be drawn from these data
Relapsing MS can affect people differently. So can the medications used to treat it. A treatment may be right for one person, but it may not be the best choice for another. Talk to your doctor, and together you can decide which therapy is right for you.
Benefits of staying on therapy
One of the most important things you can do to treat your relapsing MS is to start on therapy as soon as possible once you are diagnosed, and take your therapy as directed by your doctor.
Although taking a disease-modifying drug can't prevent relapses from occurring, it is your best defense in modifying the course of the disease.
If you are thinking about stopping your medicine, be sure to call your health care professional first.
Indication
- Rebif is used to treat relapsing forms of MS to decrease the frequency of relapses and delay the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS.
- Rebif is not approved for treatment of chronic progressive MS.
- Rebif is available in 22 mcg and 44 mcg prefilled, preassembled syringes and a titration pack by prescription only.
Important Safety Information
Before beginning treatment, patients should discuss with their doctor the potential benefits and risks associated with Rebif.
Let your doctor know:
- If you have a history of depression, seizures, liver disease, thyroid problems, or blood cell count or bleeding problems, or if you have had previous allergic reactions to medications.
- About all medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Rebif and other medicines may affect each other, causing serious side effects.
- Before you take any new medicines.
Rebif is not recommended for women who are or plan to become pregnant.
Potential serious side effects of Rebif include:
- Depression and risk of suicide
- Liver problems
- Risk to pregnancy
- Injection-site problems
- Severe allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are rare and may be associated with difficulty in breathing and loss of consciousness, which require immediate medical attention.
The most common side effects with Rebif are:
- Injection-site reactions
- Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches, tiredness)
- Depression
- Abdominal pain
- Increased liver enzymes
- Blood cell count decreases
Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms or feel sad, tired, hot or cold, or experience hives, rashes, bruising, yellowing of the skin, or a change in body weight (gain or loss).
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
This information is not intended to replace discussions with your doctor. For additional information about Rebif, please consult the Prescribing Information and Medication Guide and talk to your doctor. You can also call toll-free 1-877-44-REBIF (1-877-447-3243). Rebif is available by prescription only.
MS LifeLines is an educational support service for people living with MS and their families. MS LifeLines and MS LifeLines Ambassadors are sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Speakers and MS LifeLines Ambassadors who participate in Talk MS or in live events are sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Rebif, Rebiject II and MS LifeLines are registered trademarks and the Rebif logo is a trademark of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.
Avonex is a registered trademark of Biogen Idec.
Betaseron is a registered trademark of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Copaxone is a registered trademark of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Extavia is a registered trademark of Novartis AG.
Tysabri is a registered trademark of Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Brought to you by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc, the co-marketers of Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) in the US.
This information is intended only for residents of the United States.
Copyright © 2010 EMD Serono, Inc. All rights reserved.
EMD Serono, Inc., One Technology Place, Rockland, MA 02370
