Betaseron (Interferon Beta-1b) for Multiple Sclerosis

Members Say Top Tips Side Effects Copay Help FAQs

Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

What Members Say

MHT logo These insights are based on 2,264 comments about Betaseron from MyMSTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.

Benefits:

At-home self-injection after training
Autoinjector device for easier injections
Pain relievers to help manage flu-like symptoms before and after injections

Considerations:

Injection-site reactions including redness, pain, swelling, or skin damage
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches are common
Depression, mood changes, and trouble sleeping (be sure to report this to a doctor)

How Betaseron Works and How It’s Taken

Betaseron works by affecting the immune system, but the exact way it works in multiple sclerosis is not fully known. It can change immune signals and reduce inflammation, which is the body’s response to injury or illness. It may also help limit how immune cells move into the brain and spinal cord.

Doctors prescribe Betaseron when someone has relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. It is given as an injection under the skin every other day. Treatment usually starts at a lower dose and is increased over six weeks to the full dose. A healthcare provider should show how to give the first injection. After training, injections can be given at home.

Top Advice From Members on Betaseron

These insights are based on 2,264 comments about Betaseron from MyMSTeam members.

Members who use Betaseron often talk about building routines that make injections easier to manage and side effects more predictable. They also frequently mention staying in close contact with their neurologist or care team about new symptoms, skin reactions, lab changes, or trouble getting the medication.

1
Ask your doctor about ways to ease flu-like symptoms.
“Since my doctor recommended taking Tylenol an hour or two before my shot, that has mostly stopped, but without the Tylenol, I have body aches, and just generally feel like crap.”
2
Rotate injection sites and keep track of where you inject.
“I use the Betaseron app to track which injection site I am going to use that day.”
3
Ask about support tools and help with medication access.
“Call the Betaseron Hotline, the nurses are available 24/7.”

Connect with others who understand life with multiple sclerosis. Join MyMSTeam for free.

Betaseron Side Effects

The most common side effects of Betaseron include:

Injection-site reactions (such as redness, pain, swelling, or irritation where you inject)
Flu-like symptoms (such as fever, chills, and body aches)
Low white blood cell counts
Low lymphocyte counts
Headache
Muscle aches
Hypertonia (increased muscle tightness or stiffness)
Pain
Asthenia (weakness or low energy)
Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
Rash
Stomach or belly pain
Increased liver enzymes

In clinical trials of Betaseron for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults, these side effects were reported more often than with placebo and occurred in about 6 percent to 86 percent of people.

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Betaseron can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:

Liver injury, including liver failure (may cause yellowing of the skin or eyes, itchy skin, nausea or vomiting, unusual tiredness, flu-like symptoms, or easy bruising or bleeding)
Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis (can cause trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the mouth or tongue, hives, or widespread rash)
Depression and suicidal thoughts or actions (including new or worsening depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping, or unusual behavior or mood changes)
Worsening heart failure and other serious heart problems (may cause shortness of breath, swelling, or sudden weight gain)
Severe injection site damage, including skin breakdown and tissue death (may look like a break in the skin, blue-black discoloration, swelling, or drainage)
Thrombotic microangiopathy (a rare but serious blood vessel problem that can damage organs and may be fatal)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs that can cause new or worsening shortness of breath, fatigue, or chest symptoms)
Convulsions (seizures)

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Betaseron

Bayer, the manufacturer of Betaseron, offers the Bayer Savings Card. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0. If you have government insurance or no insurance, the website offers information on other ways to save on your prescription.

The Bayer Savings Card also offers online enrollment and support for the copay program. To learn more, visit the Bayer website, call 647-245-5620, or download the Bayer Savings Card.

What To Know Before Taking Betaseron

Before starting Betaseron, your doctor will test or check your blood counts and liver function.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to interferon beta-1b or any ingredients in Betaseron.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Do not take Betaseron if you have had a serious allergic reaction to natural or recombinant interferon beta, human albumin, or any component of the formulation.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take doses on two days in a row. Take your next dose about 48 hours later.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Betaseron, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Betaseron for multiple sclerosis?
In a 2-year study, adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who took Betaseron 0.25 milligrams every other day had 0.9 flare-ups per year on average, compared with 1.31 per year with placebo. The median time to first flare-up was 9 months with Betaseron and 5 months with placebo. MRI scans also showed better results with Betaseron. Only 6 percent of scans showed new or growing areas of damage, compared with 29 percent in people taking placebo.

Can Betaseron cause depression in people with multiple sclerosis?
Yes. Depression and suicidal thoughts have been reported with Betaseron. People should report new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mood or behavior changes right away. Stopping Betaseron may be considered if depression develops.

What tests are needed during treatment with Betaseron for multiple sclerosis?
Regular blood testing is recommended during treatment with Betaseron. This includes complete blood counts with white blood cell counts, platelet counts, blood chemistries, and liver function tests at 1, 3, and 6 months after starting treatment, and then periodically after that. Monitoring is important because Betaseron can cause low white blood cell counts and increased liver enzymes.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Betaseron for multiple sclerosis?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take Betaseron on two consecutive days. Your next injection should be about 48 hours after the missed dose you took.

How long does Betaseron take to work for multiple sclerosis?
Betaseron does not work right away, and the time it takes to see benefits can vary from person to person. Studies show that it can help delay relapses over time, but there is no exact timeline for when improvement will happen. In one study of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the median time to first flare was 9 months with Betaseron and 5 months with placebo. In another study of people who had their first nerve-related episode, 28 percent of people taking Betaseron had a second flare within 24 months, compared with 45 percent of people taking placebo.