Do you or someone you care about have MS? MS PathwaysSM is the source for personalized B.E.T.A.SM Nurse support for BETASERON patients and those considering BETASERON therapy. Take advantage of the many helpful tools offered by MS PathwaysSM, including our team of MS-specialized B.E.T.A.SM Nurses who are here to answer your questions, any time, day or night.
Get a printable doctor-patient discussion guide to help prepare you for speaking with your healthcare professional about choosing a disease-modifying therapy.
The Long-term Follow-up (LTF) Study
The BETASERON Long-term Follow-up (LTF) study
More than 17 years of scientific data exist for BETASERON. In fact, the BETASERON LTF study is the longest follow-up study of any MS disease-modifying therapy.
The LTF showed that BETASERON is a safe and effective long-term treatment for MS. In fact, LTF looked at patients, some of whom had used BETASERON continuously for up to 17 years.* The study found that BETASERON:1,2
- Slowed the progress of patients' MS by more than 6 years compared with untreated patients
- Gave patients nearly 60% more "cane-free" years from the time of diagnosis†
- Was safe, effective, and well tolerated
The study also showed that patients taking BETASERON were able to stay on therapy for many years with no unexpected side effects.1,2
By considering BETASERON therapy, you and your healthcare professional have taken the first step in your fight against MS. It's important to know what makes BETASERON different from Other Treatments
*Continuous use is defined as >80% of the study duration.
†Compared with people on other DMTs or receiving no treatment.
References:- 1. Goodin DS, Ebers G, Traboulsee A, Konieczny A, for the Betaseron® LTF Study Group. The interferon beta-1b 16-year long-term follow-up study: clinical outcomes. Poster. Presented at the 131st Annual Meeting; October 8-11, 2006; Chicago, IL.
- 2. Ebers G, Traboulsee A, Langdon D, Goodin D, Konieczny A, for the Betaseron®/Betaferon® LTF Study Group. The interferon beta-1b 16-year long-term follow-up study: the results. Poster. Presented at the 58th American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting; April 1-8, 2006; San Diego, CA.
BETASERON® (Interferon beta-1b) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations. Patients with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has been demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with multiple sclerosis.
Important Safety Information
The most commonly reported adverse reactions are lymphopenia, injection-site reaction, asthenia, flu-like symptom complex, headache and pain. Gradual dose titration and use of analgesics during treatment initiation may help reduce flu-like symptoms. BETASERON should be used with caution in patients with depression. Injection-site necrosis has been reported in 4% of patients in controlled trials. Patients should be advised of the importance of rotating injection sites. Female patients should be warned about the potential risk to pregnancy. Cases of anaphylaxis have been reported rarely. See "Warnings," "Precautions," and "Adverse Reactions" sections of full Prescribing Information.
