[Safety and tolerability in the early phase of slow schedule versus fast schedule treatment with 44 micrograms of interferon beta-1a in patients with multiple sclerosis (PARALEN study)].
BACKGROUND
Interferon (IFN) beta-1a, 44 micrograms, administered three times a week (tiw), is the recommended dose in 'relapsing' multiple sclerosis. During the clinical practice, physicians initiate treatment either with this complete dose, or with escalating dose.


OBJECTIVE
To determine safety of IFN beta-1a 44 micrograms tiw, comparing a complete dose initiation regimen versus an escalating dose initiation.


METHODS
A total of 247 multiple sclerosis patients were enrolled in this study from 37 different Spanish centers, who initiated treatment with IFN beta-1a 44 micrograms tiw. Safety and tolerability was compared in patients switching from other previous interferon to a direct complete dose regime of IFN beta-1a 44 micrograms tiw vs. an escalating dose regime in naive multiple sclerosis patients.


RESULTS
Adverse events were more frequent when administrating interferon in a 'fast-regime' directly with a complete dose.


CONCLUSIONS
An escalating dose with IFN beta-1a 44 micrograms tiw is recommended to initiate treatment in multiple sclerosis patients. In patients previously treated with another interferon beta, a complete dose regime initiation can be also scheduled, without significant differences in the reporting of adverse events.
Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España. mhernandezp78@hotmail.com
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Hernandez-Perez
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a