Managing side effects of interferon-beta in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

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• 作者：Munschauer III ; Frederick E. ; Kinkel ; Revere Philip
• 刊名：Clinical Therapeutics
• 出版年：1997
• 出版时间：September - October, 1997
• 年：1997
• 卷：19
• 期：5
• 页码：883-893
• 全文大小：808 K

文摘

In separate clinical trials, two preparations of recombinant interferon (IFN)-beta, IFN beta-1a and IFN beta-1b, reduced exacerbation rates in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS). Further, IFN beta-1a slows the progression of disability in patients with RR-MS. Although they are effective in the treatment of MS, use of these drugs is associated with both class-specific and agent-specific side effects. Class-specific side effects include fever, chills, myalgias, arthralgias, and other flulike symptoms beginning 2 to 6 hours after injection and resolving within 24 hours of injection. Transient worsening of preexisting MS symptoms also occurs infrequently. Agent-specific side effects include injection-site reactions with IFN beta-1b. Simple management strategies can be used to minimize these reactions, including patient education; tailoring the dose and time of administration of IFN-beta; and prescribing appropriate combinations of acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids. Although side effects tend to diminish with treatment, successful management allows long-term administration of these drugs to achieve a reduction in disease activity and commensurate improvement in outcomes.