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"Balance...a medication that works for you, a support system and a doctor you trust."

Treatment Differences

Rebif: Therapy You Can Live With

Rebif: designed for convenience and ease of use

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Rebif Injection Training Video
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View How Rebif (interferon beta-1a) Works
Find out how Rebif can help slow the progression of your relapsing MS.
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What was the most compelling reason to choose Rebif for your relapsing MS therapy? Watch other interviews
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Shiela shares insights about communication with her daughter about MS. Watch other interviews
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Get Your MS Information Kit Today

The sooner you start a treatment after diagnosis, the sooner you can start managing your relapsing MS. Let us send you a FREE Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) Information Kit today. Full of information on Rebif therapy, these materials can help you make a decision regarding treatment.

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All therapies for relapsing MS require the use of a needle to inject or infuse the medicine. Avonex® (interferon beta-1a) requires you to inject once per week by putting the needle into your muscle. Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate injection) only requires you to put the needle under your skin, but you have to inject every day. With Rebif® (interferon beta-1a), you only need to put the needle under your skin. And you inject just 3 times a week.

With Rebif, you have 209 fewer injections per year than you would with Copaxone.

Rebif has the thinnest needle of any MS treatment

Although needles are shown to scale, they are not actual size.

For Avonex, 25-gauge, 1" needled for intramuscular injection may be substituted for the 23-gauge, 1¼ needle by the prescribing physician, if deemed appropriate.

"I used to dread taking my Avonex shot every Sunday night because it hurt so much. With Rebif, sometimes I don't even feel the needle going in. When I used the 29-gauge needle for the first time, I thought that the Rebiject II® [auto-injector] had malfunctioned. I was amazed to find the syringe empty."

—Mike, MS LifeLines® Ambassador

Changing to Rebif

"The dosing schedule helps me to remain on therapy. When I began taking Rebif, I had some body aches, but I would take ibuprofen and they would go away. I have no side effects now. It's important to have a therapy that works for me...because I intend on continuing to live my life to the fullest. I understand that I may have to make changes, but I want to enjoy every minute I have. I want the opportunity to live life, not MS.

—Pete, MS LifeLines Ambassador

These quotes reflect the personal experiences of two people, and others can be different. Results and experiences vary from patient to patient. It is best to contact your doctor to discuss what's best for you. Mike and Pete are MS LifeLines Ambassadors and have chosen to share their stories with other people living with MS.

How do interferon therapies differ?

What's the difference between interferon-beta therapies used to treat relapsing MS?

Each interferon-beta therapy differs by:

  • Where it is given (injected under the skin or into the muscle)
  • How much is given (high vs low dose)
  • How often it is taken (frequency)
The benefits of higher dose, more frequent interferon therapy

Rebif 44 mcg is a high-dose, high-frequency interferon-beta therapy, while Avonex is a lower dose interferon beta therapy that is taken less frequently. The three-times-weekly injection schedule of Rebif maintains a constant level of interferon beta-1a in your body. With the once-weekly injection schedule of Avonex, the level of interferon beta-1a fades throughout the week and is gone from your body 3 days before your next injection.

Over an average of 64 weeks in the EVIDENCE study*, Rebif 44 mcg given 3 times a week was shown to work better when compared to Avonex 30 mcg given once a week for:

  • Reducing brain lesion activity on MRI
  • Preventing relapses over an average of 64 weeks
Rebif is the only therapy for relapsing MS that has been proven to work better than another therapy in a Class I Trial**.

Read more about the EVIDENCE study.

"Don't decide on a treatment based on how often it's given or what's most convenient. Look at the studies and how well the treatment works."

—Kathy, wife of Gary, MS LifeLines® Ambassador

This reflects the personal experience of one person, and others can be different. Results and experiences vary from patient to patient. It is best to contact your doctor to discuss what's best for you. Gary is an MS LifeLines Ambassador, and he and Kathy have chosen to share his story with other people living with MS.

Please note that the exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disability progression, is unknown.

Please see the Rebif Medication Guide and speak with your doctor for more information.

Avonex is a registered trademark of Biogen Idec.

Copaxone is a registered trademark of Teva Neuroscience, Inc.

 

* EVidence for Interferon Dose-response: European North American Comparative Efficacy.

** According to the American Academy of Neurology, the data in a Class I Trial is collected under the highest scientific standards.

Brought to you by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc., the co-marketers of Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) in the US EMD SeronoPfizer

Prescribing Information - Medication Guide

This information is intended only for residents of the United States.

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 the treatment of chronic progressive multiple sclerosis. Rebif is available by prescription only in 22 mcg and 44 mcg pre-filled syringes and a titration pack.

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, and blood count or bleeding problems or if you have had previous allergic reactions to medications. Tell your doctor 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. Talk to your doctor 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, liver problems, risk to pregnancy, injection site problems and severe allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are rare and may be associated with difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness, which requires 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, and blood cell count decreases. Let your doctor know immediately if you have any of these symptoms or feel sad, tired, hot or cold, 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 healthcare provider. For additional information about Rebif, please consult the Medication Guide or Prescribing Information 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.

Rebif, Rebiject II, and MS LifeLines are registered trademarks of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.

MS in Balance is a service mark of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.

Copyright 2008 EMD Serono, Inc. All rights reserved.