Kesimpta, Tysabri, and More: 8 Injections and Infusions for Multiple Sclerosis
For people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), many injectable medications are available to manage the condition. Here are eight MS injections and infusions to know.
Betaseron
Used for Multiple Sclerosis
Used for Multiple Sclerosis
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) is an injectable biologic medication used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It's given every other day and can cause flu-like symptoms.
What is Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)?
What is Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) used for?
- Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis
How Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) works
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) is a biologic medication that affects your immune system. The exact way it works to treat multiple sclerosis is unknown.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Betaseron, Extavia |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Biologic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Low blood cell counts (86%)
- Injection site reactions: pain, swelling, bleeding (78%)
- Flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, muscle pain, weakness, sweating (57%)
- Muscle weakness (53%)
- Headache (50%)
- Pain (42%)
- Stiff muscles (40%)
- Fever (31%)
- Muscle pain (23%)
- Chills (21%)
- Difficulty sleeping (21%)
- Rash (21%)
- Loss of balance/coordination (17%)
- Stomach pain (16%)
- Swelling in legs or hands (12%)
- Urinating more (11%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Chest pain
- Uterine bleeding
- Sexual dysfunction
- General weakness/fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Worsening liver problems or liver failure: swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, confusion
- Serious allergic reactions: hives, itching, swelling of face or tongue, difficulty breathing
- Heart failure: shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, irregular heartbeat, unable to exercise, tiredness, weakness
- Injection site necrosis (skin cell death): blue-black discoloration, swelling, broken skin
- Serious infections: fever, tiredness, chills, cough, trouble breathing
- Blood problems: purple bruises or pin-point dots on the skin, pale skin, yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes, fever, tiredness, confusion, difficulty breathing, not able to make urine
- Depression or suicidal ideation
- Seizures
The following Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Abdominal or stomach pain
break in the skin at the injection site, with blue-black discoloration, swelling, or drainage of fluid
flu-like symptoms including chills, fever, generalized feeling of discomfort or illness, increased sweating, and muscle pain
headache or migraine
hives, itching, or swelling at the injection site
irregular or pounding heartbeat
redness, pain, or feeling of heat at the injection site
Less common
Bloody or cloudy urine
breast pain
changes in vision
cold hands and feet
difficult, burning, or painful urination
fast or racing heartbeat
frequent urge to urinate
pelvic pain
swollen glands
troubled breathing
unusual weight gain
Rare
Abnormal growth in the breast
benign lumps in the breast
bleeding problems
bloating or swelling
changes in menstrual periods
confusion
convulsions (seizures)
cyst (abnormal growth filled with fluid or semisolid material)
decreased sexual ability in males
dry, puffy skin
feeling cold
hyperactivity
increased muscle tone
increased urge to urinate
loss of memory
mental depression with thoughts of suicide
problems with speaking
red, itching, or swollen eyes
swelling of the front part of the neck
unusual weight loss
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$11777.50
GoodRx discount
$9474.51
Pros and cons of Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)
Pros
- Good treatment option for relapsing MS
- Medication that's not mixed yet can be stored at room temperature, so it's convenient if you're traveling
- An automatic injector is available for easier administration and tracking progress.
Cons
- Needs to be injected every 2 days
- Can have a lot of side effects
- Can't be used in children
- Might be difficult for some people to prepare and administer correctly
Pharmacist tips for Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)
- Your provider or pharmacist will train you or your caregiver on how to give you the interferon-beta-1b injections. Make sure you know how to give yourself the medication to avoid accidentally hurting yourself or wasting the medication.
- Before mixing, store medication in the original container to protect from light. Betaseron and Extavia can be store it at room temperature. For specific storage temperature range for each medication, please read the storage instructions.
- After mixing, always check the medication solution to make sure it's clear and colorless to yellow before using it. If it's cloudy, discolored, or has particles, don't use it. If you're not ready to give yourself the injection after mixing the solution, store it in the refrigerator and use it within 3 hours.
- If you're using Betaseron, watch this instructional video on how to use the prefilled syringe and vial. There is also an autoinjector that you can use, called the BETACONNECT autoinjector, that is a fully electronic injector and makes it easy to prepare and inject yourself with Betaseron (interferon beta-1b). You can also find out more information by contacting BETAPLUS, which is a patient support program, at 1-800-788-1467.
- If you're using Extavia, read the instructions for use for the prefilled syringe and vial. Extavia also has an autoinjector, called the Extavia Auto-Injector II. Contact your provider or pharmacist if you have any questions on how to administer Betaseron (interferon beta-1b).
- Inject Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) into your thighs, stomach, back of your arms, or buttocks. Use a different place each time you give yourself the medication to prevent bruising or irritation on your skin. If you are very thin, only inject into your thighs or back of your arms. Don't inject near your belly button or waistline. Don't inject where skin is red, bruised, infected, scabbed, broken or has lumps, bumps, or pain.
- After giving yourself the medication, throw the needle and syringe away in a sharps container or something made of heavy-duty plastic, such as an empty milk carton or laundry detergent bottle, to lower the risk of needle-stick injuries and spreading infections. Don't save any leftover medication that's still in the syringe or vial after you use it because the medication doesn't contain any preservatives. This means it can grow bacteria and become contaminated if it's saved.
- If you missed your dose, take it as soon as you remember. Don't take Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) 2 days in a row. If you do, or if you accidentally take more than the dose that is prescribed to you, contact your provider immediately.
- Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle pain, weakness, sweating) are common side effects of interferon-beta-1b. They can last for about 7 to 8 days. The symptoms are usually worse in the beginning, but should get better with time. If you do develop flu-like symptoms, make sure to stay hydrated and ask your provider about using over-the-counter cold and flu medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
Risks and warnings for Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Worsening liver problems and liver failure
- Risk factors: History of liver problems | Taking medications that cause liver damage | Alcohol use
Although rare, Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) can cause serious liver problems that can lead to liver failure or death. You might need to get regular blood tests done to make sure your liver is working properly. Seek medical attention right away if you notice swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, stool changes (black, tarry, or bloody stools), coughing or vomiting up blood, confusion, slurred speech, mood swings, or changes in personality. You might need to stop using Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) to prevent further liver damage.
Depression and thoughts of suicide
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) can cause depression and thoughts of suicide. This can happen to anyone taking Betaseron (interferon beta-1b). Let your provider know if you or your loved ones notice a change in your mood or behavior, or if you have thoughts of hurting yourself while taking Betaseron (interferon beta-1b). Depending on how severe your symptoms are, your provider might have you stop taking the medication.
Worsening heart failure
- Risk factors: History of heart failure
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) can worsen heart failure symptoms in people with heart failure. Let your provider know if you currently have heart failure or have any signs of heart failure (e.g., shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, irregular heartbeat, unable to exercise, tiredness or weakness) while taking Betaseron (interferon beta-1b).
Injection site necrosis (ISN)
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) can cause necrosis (cell death) in the skin at the site of injection. Typically, ISN happens within the first 4 months of using Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) and appear as small lesions that extend to the fat layer between the skin and muscle, but there have been reports of ISN happening over 1 year after starting therapy and appearing as larger lesions extending into the muscle. Contact your provider right away if you notice any broken skin, blue-black discoloration, swelling, or leaking of fluid in the injection site. If the condition is severe enough, you might have to stop taking Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) and get treatment for your skin.
Low white blood cell count
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) can lead to low white blood cell (WBC) count, which can raise your risk of serious infections. If your WBC count drop too low, you'll likely need to stop taking Betaseron (interferon beta-1b). If you develop any signs of infection, such as fever, tiredness, chills, cough, trouble breathing, contact your provider right away.
Blood problems
Rarely, Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) can cause a potentially deadly blood problem called thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). It's a condition where tiny blood clots form in the small vessels of your body and it can happen weeks to years after you first start this medication. If you get TMA, you'll need to stop this medication. Let your provider know right away if you notice symptoms such as purple bruises or pin-point dots on the skin, pale skin, yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes, fever, tiredness, and confusion.
Drug-induced lupus
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) can cause drug-induced lupus. Lupus is a disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks certain tissues and organs. If you get muscle or joint pain and swelling, rash, pelvic pain, frequent urination, pain while urinating, vomiting, cold fingers, toes, or ears after starting Betaseron (interferon beta-1b), contact your provider so you can be tested for lupus. If you're diagnosed with lupus, you'll have to stop taking Betaseron (interferon beta-1b).
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) dosage
The average cost for 1 kit of 0.3mg of Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) is $9,474.51 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 19.55% off the average retail price of $11,777.50. 
Kit
Kit| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3mg | 1 kit | $9,474.51 | $9,474.51 |
Typical dosage for Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)
The typical starting dose is 0.0625 mg (equal to 0.25 mL) injected under the skin every other day. Your provider will raise your dose by 0.0625 mg every 2 weeks until you reach the full recommended dose of 0.25 mg (equal to 1 mL) every other day.
Interactions between Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) and other drugs
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Betaseron (interferon beta-1b). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Betaseron (brand)
$9,474.51
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) will not be safe for you to take.
- Unable to receive human albumin
What are alternatives to Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Betaseron (interferon beta-1b). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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