interferon beta-1b

Generic Name: interferon beta-1b

What is interferon beta-1b?

Interferon beta-1b is made from human proteins. Interferons help the body fight viral infections.

Interferon beta-1b is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). This medication will not cure MS, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.

Interferon beta-1b may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking interferon beta-1b?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to interferons or human albumin.

Some patients using interferon medications have become very depressed or had thoughts of suicide. Stop using interferon beta-1b if you have symptoms of depression (sadness, crying, loss of interest in things you once liked) or if you have any thoughts of hurting yourself.

Before using interferon beta-1b, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

  • liver disease;

  • a thyroid disorder;

  • epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

  • a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, such as hemophilia;

  • anemia (lack of red blood cells); or

  • a history of depression or suicidal behavior.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use interferon beta-1b, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, or may cause a miscarriage. Do not use interferon beta-1b if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether interferon beta-1b passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take interferon beta-1b?

Interferon beta-1b is given as an injection under the skin. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home.

Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and syringes used in giving the medicine.

Interferon beta-1b is injected into a skin area of the thigh, stomach, buttocks, or back of the upper arm. This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Interferon beta-1b is usually given as one injection at bedtime every 48 hours (2 days). Follow the directions on your prescription label. Try to use your injections at the same time each dosing day.

Interferon beta-1b is a powder that comes in a single-use vial (bottle) with a liquid (diluent) that must be mixed with the powder in the vial. Gently swirl but do not shake the vial after mixing the medicine. Allow any bubbles or foam to settle before drawing the medicine into a syringe.

Do not draw your interferon beta-1b dose into a syringe until you are ready to give yourself an injection. Use a different place on your skin each time you inject this medication. Do not inject interferon beta-1b into the same skin area two times in a row.

If the medicine has changed colors or has any particles in it, call your doctor for a new prescription.

Use each needle and syringe only one time. With your medicine you will receive a puncture-proof container for used needles and syringes. If you do not receive a container, ask your pharmacist for one. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets. Your pharmacist can tell you how to properly dispose of the container.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and liver function will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your thyroid function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store interferon beta-1b vials at room temperature away from moisture and heat. After mixing the medicine you should use it right away, or within 3 hours after mixing if you store it in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose of interferon beta-1b?

Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. Then wait at least 48 hours before using another injection, and restart your dosing schedule at that time. Do not use more than one injection every 48 hours (2 days).

Where can I get more information about interferon beta-1b?
Your pharmacist has information about interferon beta-1b written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of interferon beta-1b?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using intereron beta-1b and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • depressed mood, anxiety, trouble sleeping, restlessness, or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;

  • bruising, swelling, oozing, or skin changes where the injection was given;

  • weight changes, pounding heartbeats, feeling too hot or cold;

  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or

  • nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Continue using interferon beta-1b and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

  • weakness;

  • headache;

  • muscle pain or weakness;

  • sleep problems (insomnia);

  • stomach pain;

  • swelling in your hands or feet;

  • skin rash; or

  • irregular menstrual periods.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about interferon beta-1b?

This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, or may cause a miscarriage. Do not use interferon beta-1b if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Before using interferon beta-1b, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver disease, a thyroid disorder, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, anemia (low red blood cells), or a history of depression or suicidal behavior.

Some patients using interferon medications have become very depressed or had thoughts of suicide. Stop using interferon beta-1b if you have symptoms of depression (sadness, crying, loss of interest in things you once liked) or if you have any thoughts of hurting yourself.

Interferon beta-1b is given as an injection under the skin, usually at bedtime every 48 hours (2 days). You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home.

Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand all instructions about giving the injection and properly disposing of needles and syringes.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and liver function will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your thyroid function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking interferon beta-1b?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while using interferon beta-1b unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Interferons can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

What other drugs will affect interferon beta-1b?

There may be other drugs that can affect interferon beta-1b. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I have an overdose of interferon beta-1b?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an interferon beta-1b overdose are not known.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008