title: Managing side effects of interferon-beta in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: In separate clinical trials, two preparations of recombinant interferon (IFN)-beta, IFN beta-1a and IFN beta-1b, reduced exacerbation rates in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS). Further, IFN beta-1a slows the progression of disability in patients with RR-MS. Although they are effective in the treatment of MS, use of these drugs is associated with both class-specific and agent-specific side effects. Class-specific side effects include fever, chills, myalgias, arthralgias, and other flulike symptoms beginning 2 to 6 hours after injection and resolving within 24 hours of injection. Transient worsening of preexisting MS symptoms also occurs infrequently. Agent-specific side effects include injection-site reactions with IFN beta-1b. Simple management strategies can be used to minimize these reactions, including patient education; tailoring the dose and time of administration of IFN-beta; and prescribing appropriate combinations of acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids. Although side effects tend to diminish with treatment, successful management allows long-term administration of these drugs to achieve a reduction in disease activity and commensurate improvement in outcomes.
authors.affiliation: William C. Baird Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Munschauer
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kinkel
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a