"One day, one wonderful hour at a time."
Coni, MS LifeLines Ambassador
Living with RRMS
Treating Relapsing MS
For most people diagnosed with relapsing MS, their greatest fear is serious disability
. Although a possibility, it is important to know that being diagnosed with relapsing MS does not necessarily mean you will become severely disabled.
This page contains video that requires JavaScript and a recent version of Adobe's Flash Player. Download the latest Adobe Flash Player now to view this content.
- Take a sneak peek at our next program.
Register now
-
- Watch how Rebif saves you 13 steps of preparation vs Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b).
-
- Meet the MS LifeLines Team
Take a video tour of MS LifeLines.
Mire este vídeo en español.
-
- Access Made Simple Program
-
- Hear from Vickie about how the
MS LifeLines Access Made Simple program helped her get affordable access to Rebif for the treatment of her relapsing MS.
-
- Conozca al equipo de MS LifeLines
Realice un tour en video por MS LifeLines.
-
-
- Rebif Injection Training Video
Mire este vídeo en español.
-
- Video de entrenamiento sobre la inyección de Rebif
-
- View How Rebif (interferon beta-1a) Works
Find out how Rebif can help slow the progression of your relapsing MS.
-
- Find new ways to accommodate your day-to-day needs. Watch other interviews
-
- What was the most compelling reason to choose Rebif for your relapsing MS therapy? Watch other interviews
-
- Watch as Kellie talks about her MRI lesion load. Watch other interviews
-
- Shiela shares insights about communication with her daughter about MS. Watch other interviews
-
-
Over time, MS disease activity leads to permanent nerve damage. This damage builds up and can eventually cause long-term disability in MS.
Not everyone experiences the same level of disease activity, so disability progresses at different rates for different people. Studies have shown that people who have more brain lesions
and more relapses early on are likely to progress more quickly. But it is impossible for your health care provider to predict how quickly your MS will progress.
There is no cure yet for MS. But there are many treatments. Some only treat the symptoms of MS. Others are disease-modifying drugs, MS drugs proven to reduce disease activity and relapses, and even delay the progression of disability in relapsing MS in some cases. That's why many experts think it's important to start therapy as early as possible after diagnosis of relapsing MS. These drugs should be taken consistently and as directed by your health care provider.
Disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) used for treating relapsing MS include:
- Rebif® (interferon beta-1a
)
- Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate injection)
- Avonex® (interferon beta-1a)
- Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b)
- Tysabri® (natalizumab)
All medications have side effects. They may be most noticeable when you start therapy.
Learn more about Rebif and side effects.
Avonex is a registered trademark of Biogen Idec.
Betaseron is a registered trademark of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.
Copaxone is a registered trademark of Teva Neuroscience, Inc.
Tysabri is a registered trademark of the Elan Corporation, Inc.
Brought to you by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc, the co-marketers of Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) in the US 
Prescribing Information - Medication Guide
This information is intended only for residents of the United States.
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. 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 and risk of suicide, liver problems, risk to
pregnancy, injection-site problems, and 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, and 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).
Compared with Avonex, side effects were generally similar despite the higher, more frequent dosing of Rebif.
Differences included people taking Avonex had more flulike symptoms than those taking Rebif. People taking
Rebif had a greater number of injection-site reactions, elevated liver enzymes, and decreased white blood cell
counts; these events also occurred more frequently with Rebif posttransition versus prior use of Avonex.
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 visit www.mslifelines.com or 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 and the Rebif logo is a trademark of EMD Serono,
Inc. or its affiliates.
MS in Balance Your Life in Full is a service mark of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.
Copyright 2010 EMD Serono, Inc. All rights reserved.