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| Other drug names: | A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
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Your doctor has ordered interferon beta-1b, a biologic response modifier. This medication is used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and patients may experience weakness; numbness; loss of muscle coordination; and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control. This medication will be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) every other day. Your health care provider will show you how to prepare and give the injection.
Interferon beta-1b is a man-made version of a naturally occuring protein. It is used to treat patients with relapsing forms of MS (course of disease where symptoms flare up for a short time, then go away). Interferon beta-1b does not cure MS but may reduce the number of disease flare-ups. Interferon beta-1b may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how you respond to the medication.
Before using interferon beta-1b,
Before you administer interferon beta-1b, look at the solution closely. It should be clear and free of floating material. Observe the solution container to make sure there are no leaks and check the expiration date. Do not use the solution if it is discolored, if it contains particles, or if the container leaks or it is expired. Use a new solution, but show the damaged or expired one to your health care provider.
It is important that you use your medication exactly as directed. Your health care provider may start you on a low dose of interferon beta-1b and gradually increase your dose. Do not change your dosing schedule without talking to your health care provider. Your injections should be approximately 48 hours (2 days) apart, so it is best to give them at the same time, preferably in the evening just before bedtime.
Do not inject interferon beta-1b into an area of skin that is irritated, sore, red, bruised, infected, damaged, or abnormal in any way. It is important that you change your injection area each time interferon beta-1b is injected; keeping a record will help you to remember to rotate injection sites. Do not use the same injection area two times in a row. Do not inject interferon beta-1b near the navel (bellybutton) or waistline.
If you miss a dose of interferon beta-1b, inject your next dose as soon as you remember or are able to give it. Your next injection should then be given 48 hours (2 days) after that dose. Do not use interferon beta-1b on 2 days in a row. If you accidentally take more than your prescribed dose, or give it on 2 days in a row, call your health care provider right away.
Side effects from interferon beta-1b can occur. Interferon beta-1b sometimes causes a flu-like illness with headache, fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, tiredness, and general discomfort. Tell your health care provider if any of these problems continue or worsen. You should talk with your health care provider about whether to take an over the counter medication for pain or fever before or after taking your dose of interferon beta-1b.
Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your health care provider immediately:
Interferon beta-1b affects your immune system so it may increase your risk of developing a serious infection. Talk to your health care provider about the risks of using this medication.
Interferon beta-1b may cause other side effects. Call your health care provider if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand what you need to store your medication properly.
Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out of reach of children. Do not throw needles or syringes in the household trash or recycle. Your health care provider will tell you how to throw away used needles and syringes in a puncture-proof container to avoid accidental injury.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
If you are receiving interferon beta-1b under your skin, you need to know the signs of an injection area infection (an infection at the area where you have given your medication subcutaneously). If you experience any of these signs near an injection area, call your health care provider as soon as possible:
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Last Reviewed - 09/01/2008
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2009. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
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Page last updated: 18 November 2009 |