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Do you or someone you care about have MS? MS PathwaysSM is the source for personalized 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.
MS Myths & Facts
The fact is, what was considered true just a short while ago may be outdated today.
If you're not up to date with the latest facts about multiple sclerosis, you may not be doing everything you can to keep your MS in check. So here are some common myths about MS treatment and facts about BETASERON to help get you started.
MYTH #1 All MS treatments are the same
The fact is, although MS therapies may seem similar, there are some important differences you should be aware of.
The most common treatment options are beta interferons and glatiramer acetate. Interferon beta therapies are the most frequently prescribed. Among them are two types: one that is a lower dose taken once a week, and the other that is a higher dose taken more often. MS experts recently stated that higher doses of interferon beta taken more often appear to be more effective than lower doses taken less often.
The FDA has expanded the labeling for BETASERON to include the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS patients at the first event. BETASERON is the only high-dose, high-frequency interferon beta FDA approved for use at the earliest stage of MS.
MYTH #2 Strong effective therapies are hard to tolerate
The fact is, high-dose, high-frequency interferon beta therapies like BETASERON can also be well-tolerated. Over the years, we've learned that there are steps you can take to help reduce common side effects. For example, gradually increasing the dose can help you adjust to therapy. And taking over-the-counter pain relievers may help lessen flu-like symptoms.1
In the recent BENEFIT study, 93% of people taking BETASERON completed the trial. And 96% of them decided to stay on BETASERON in a follow-up study.2
It helps that all people taking BETASERON have access to B.E.T.A.NursesSM*—any time, day or night. These specialized MS nurses even provide injection training in your home† or in your doctor's office.
MYTH #3 A few relapses per year is a normal part of MS
The fact is, if you're having several relapses a year, your current treatment might not be working for you. And if that's the case, you should consider doing something about it right away. Talk to your healthcare professional. Many patients have successfully switched therapies with positive results.
A study that followed people taking BETASERON continuously‡ over 17 years showed that these people benefited from nearly 60% more "cane-free" years than those taking other treatments or no therapy.3,4
MYTH #4 I'm already on treatment—I should just stick with it
The fact is, we learn more about MS therapies every day. The treatment you began may not be the right choice for you now. If you are having frequent relapses, or if you're finding that your normal daily activities are becoming more difficult, you should talk to your healthcare professional to find an effective MS treatment for you.
BETASERON, the most extensively studied MS medication available, is constantly being researched. Scientists are also testing new MS therapies with promising results.
MYTH #5 I feel fine, so there's no reason to start MS treatment
The fact is, MS can be deceiving. Not long ago, delaying therapy until MS symptoms become more apparent was considered acceptable by many experts—but that is not necessarily the case today. We now know that serious damage can happen very early.
A recent study showed that MS can cause 4 times more damage in the first year than in years 5 to 105. In another study, 85% of people who had one episode suggestive of MS developed MS§ within 2 years when left untreated. While you may not feel any symptoms, this early damage can affect memory and information processing—even worse, it may be irreversible.
A recent study of patients with a first MS event has shown that when used early, BETASERON can significantly delay progression to a second MS attack.2
Every moment you delay effective treatment is a moment you may never get back.2
It's not a moment too soon to start BETASERON for the best results.
MS doesn't wait. Neither should you. Talk to your healthcare professional TODAY about the benefits of BETASERON, and take the MS Treatment Challenge.
Why aren't you feeling the damage?
Think of your brain as an information highway. When one road is blocked off, it can compensate by rerouting information another way. However, when too many streets are blocked, it's impossible to get to your destination. That's when you start feeling your MS—but the damage may already be done.
*BETASERON Education, Training & Assistance.†Where state laws allow.
‡Continuous use is defined as >80% of the study duration.
§By MRI criteria. References:
- 1. Betaseron [package insert]. Wayne, NJ: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2007.
- 2. Kappos L, Polman CH, Freedman MS, et al, for the BENEFIT Study Group. Treatment with interferon beta-1b delays conversion to clinically definite and McDonald MS in patients with clinically isolated syndromes. Neurology. 2006;67:1242-1249.
- 3. 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.
- 4. 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.
- 5. Kuhlmann T, Lingfeld G, Bitsch A, Schuchardt J, Brück W. Acute axonal damage in multiple sclerosis is most extensive in early disease stages and decreases over time. Brain. 2002;125:2202-2212.
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.
