Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) is a prescription drug that treats certain types of multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndrome in adults. It’s given as an injection under your skin.
Betaseron basics
Betaseron contains the active ingredient interferon beta-1b. It belongs to a drug class called immunomodulators.
Betaseron is a biologic medication. (A biologic is made from parts of living cells.) Betaseron is a brand-name drug that’s not available in a biosimilar form.
Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.
Betaseron is used to treat certain types of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults and a related condition called clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).
Betaseron is used to treat the following conditions:
- Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS): With CIS, you have an episode of MS-like symptoms that lasts 24 hours or longer. CIS may or may not develop into MS.
- Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): RRMS is a form of MS in which you have relapses (times when symptoms flare up) followed by periods of remission (times with little to no symptoms).
- Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS): SPMS is a type of MS in which relapses occur more often, with little or no periods of remission.
MS is a condition that affects nerve function, leading to symptoms such as weakness, numbness, and problems with muscle coordination. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering on your nerves, leading to damage. MS typically gets worse over time and may lead to disabilities, such as difficulty walking.
It’s not fully known how Betaseron works to treat CIS, RRMS, and SPMS. However, it’s thought that the drug reduces inflammation. It may help make relapses occur less often and can slow the progression of the disease.
Like most drugs, Betaseron may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below contain some of the more common side effects Betaseron may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Betaseron. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.
Mild side effects
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Betaseron can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Betaseron’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects of Betaseron that have been reported include:
- mild reactions at the injection site, such as swelling or discomfort
- flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches, fever, or chills
- headache
- tense muscles
- insomnia
- abdominal pain
- weakness
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Betaseron can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Betaseron, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Betaseron that have been reported include:
- liver problems
- depression and suicidal thoughts
- heart failure
- severe reactions at the injection site, such as damage or death of skin tissue
- low level of white blood cells
- thrombotic microangiopathy (a condition that causes blood clots in small blood vessels)
- pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in blood vessels in the lungs)
- seizures
- drug-induced lupus (an immune system reaction to certain medications)
ALLERGIC REACTIONFor some people, Betaseron can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep using Betaseron.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Betaseron, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Betaseron that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always use the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Form and strength
Betaseron comes as a powder in a single-dose vial. It’s available in one strength of 0.3 milligrams (mg) per vial.
Betaseron comes with supplies to mix it into a liquid solution. The drug is then given as an injection under your skin.
Recommended dosage
Betaseron is given once every other day. Treatment typically starts with a low dose that gradually increases over time, as follows:
| Dose of Betaseron in mg | Amount to inject in milliliters (mL) | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 2 | 0.0625 mg | 0.25 mL | Every other day |
| Weeks 3 to 4 | 0.125 mg | 0.5 mL | Every other day |
| Weeks 5 to 6 | 0.1875 mg | 0.75 mL | Every other day |
| Week 7 and after | 0.25 mg | 1 mL | Every other day |
How to use
You may receive Betaseron injections from your doctor or another healthcare professional. Or they may teach you or your caregiver how to give Betaseron injections at home. You and your doctor can discuss the best option for your specific situation.
If you’re going to administer Betaseron injections at home, your doctor will explain how to prepare and self-administer the injections. Be sure to follow their instructions.
Betaseron is administered as an injection under your skin. You can either inject Betaseron manually (by hand) or you can use the BetaConnect autoinjector. To learn more about the autoinjector, talk with your doctor or visit the manufacturer’s website.
For more information about injecting Betaseron, see the training guide and an instructional video on the manufacturer’s website.
Questions about using Betaseron
Below are some common questions about using Betaseron.
- Is there a best time of day to use Betaseron? Betaseron can be injected at any time of day, but it’s best to use it around the same time every other day (about 48 hours apart). This helps keep a consistent level of the drug in your body, which helps Betaseron work effectively.
- What if I miss a dose of Betaseron? If you miss a dose of Betaseron, inject it as soon as possible. After you inject the missed dose, wait about 48 hours (2 days) to give your next injection. Continue using one dose every other day. Betaseron doses should always be about 48 hours apart. You should not inject a dose 2 days in a row. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects. If you’re not sure what to do after missing a dose of Betaseron, talk with your doctor.
- Will I need to use Betaseron long term? Betaseron is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
- How long does Betaseron take to work? Betaseron starts to work after you take your first dose. But you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. Your doctor will order tests throughout your treatment to check whether Betaseron is working to treat your condition.
Overdose
Do not use more Betaseron than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you use too much Betaseron
Call your doctor if you think you’ve injected too much Betaseron. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below is important information you should consider before using Betaseron.
Interactions
Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.
It isn’t known whether Betaseron may interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, or foods. The manufacturer of Betaseron didn’t look at interactions in studies of the drug.
Before starting Betaseron treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Betaseron and alcohol
Alcohol is not known to interact with Betaseron. But drinking alcohol during your Betaseron treatment may increase your risk of liver problems. Talk with your doctor to determine whether it’s safe for you to drink alcohol during your Betaseron treatment. Depending on your liver function, your doctor may recommend that you avoid or limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Betaseron during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Betaseron treatment.
Warnings
Betaseron can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Betaseron is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before you start Betaseron. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
- liver problems
- heart failure
- mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts
- seizures
- bleeding, bruising, anemia, or other blood cell disorders
- previous allergic reaction to Betaseron
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Betaseron. What you’ll pay for Betaseron may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Financial support programs may also be available from Betaseron’s manufacturer.
You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.
Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Betaseron, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.
The following drugs are similar to Betaseron:
- interferon beta-1b (Extavia)
- interferon beta-1a (Avonex)
- interferon beta-1a (Rebif)
- interferon beta-1 (Plegridy)
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.