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"One day, one wonderful hour at a time."

Coni, MS LifeLines Ambassador

Living with RRMS since 2000

Taking Rebif® since 2002

What is MS?

MS: "many scars"

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS): the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. The damage caused by MS creates lesions or "scars" that can be seen on your brain and spinal cord. The process of developing lesions is called "sclerosis." So, MS actually means "many scars."

What happens in MS?

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The CNS is made up of nerve cells that send signals to each other. Each nerve cell is covered with a protective coating called myelin . Myelin acts like insulation on an electrical wire. Myelin lets signals pass between nerve cells at high speeds. In MS, disease activity damages the myelin. This process is called "demyelination ."

This damage leads to a breakdown in the signal. The symptoms you experience with MS are a result of this communication breakdown. Disease activity can also damage the underlying nerve cell, leading to permanent symptoms and disability.

What causes MS?

The cause of MS is unknown. It is thought to be an autoimmune disease. Normally, the immune system helps fight foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria. In an autoimmune disease, something triggers the immune system to attack the body itself. Some health care providers think that MS may be triggered by an infection—probably a virus. However, MS is not contagious.

It is thought that this trigger activates a type of white blood cell called a "T cell." Once activated, the T cell starts to multiply. T cells cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to the brain and spinal cord. The T cells then begin a process that attacks and damages nerve cells in the CNS.

GLOSSARY: Blood–brain barrier (BBB): the barrier between blood vessels and the brain that stops certain substances from reaching brain tissue.

Who gets MS?

  • 2.5 million people around the world have MS
  • Approximately 400,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MS
  • More than twice as many women as men have MS
  • Most people are aged between 20 and 50 years when they are diagnosed with MS
  • MS is more common in people of Northern European descent, but people from all backgrounds get MS

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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.