#068: Interferon-beta (Avonex, Betaferon, Extavia, Plegridy, Rebif, …) for CIS, RRMS & SPMS

MS-Perspektive - The Multiple Sclerosis Podcast

Interferon-beta (Avonex, Betaferon, Extavia, Plegrid,y Rebif) is used as a disease-modifying therapy for mild to moderate RRMS, CIS & SPMS.

You can find the full article to read on my blog: https://ms-perspektive.com/068-interferons

In today’s article, I present interferon-beta, which include several active substances and are known as Avonex, Betaferon, Extavia, Plegridy, Rebif, or under other trade names. They are all approved disease-modifying drugs for relapsing forms of MS. They are used for mild and moderate courses of the disease. Like glatiramer acetate and fumarates, which have already been presented, interferons have a broader mechanism of action. In the following, I will try to provide a good overview without delving into all the details. And as always: seek advice from MS specialists who know your individual situation, your wishes, your fears and your general state of health.

Table of Contents

• General Information
• How are interferon-beta (Avonex, Betaferon, Extavia, Plegridy, Rebif, and generics) classified in immunotherapies?
• What is interferon-beta approved for?
• What is the situation for special patient groups?
• Who should avoid interferon-beta?
• How does interferon-beta works?
• How is it taken?
• How effective is interferon-beta (Avonex, Betaferon, Extavia, Plegridy, Rebif, and generics)?
• Risks and side effects of interferon-beta (Avonex, Betaferon, Extavia, Plegridy, Rebif and generics)
• Vaccinations
• Sources
• Final note

Sources

I used the following sources to create the content:

• Quality manual of the KKNMS on interferon-beta
• MS-Selfie Infocards by Prof. Dr. Gavin Giovannoni
• German Multiple Sclerosis and Fertility Registry (DMSKW)
• Information from the German interview with Prof. Dr. Barbara Kornek on pediatric MS
• DMSG information on interferon-beta
• DECIMS information on interferon-beta

Final note

Please remember, there is no one great medication that helps everyone, but it must always be weighed up what suits a particular person best. Other illnesses, personal goals and preferences must also be taken into account. Your neurologist and MS nurse are the right persons to talk to and can make individual recommendations. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation. What helps one person may not help another.

I hope that, together with your neurologist and MS nurse, you will quickly find the right immunotherapy for you. And that you can lead a fulfilled, happy and self-determined life with MS, supported by a healthy lifestyle and a dose of fortune.

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You may also want to look at the posts on the other DMTs:

• Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) and diroximel fumarate (Vumerity)
• Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Brabio)

See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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