Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron®/Betaferon®) is well tolerated at a dose of 500 mg: interferon dose escalation assessment of safety (IDEAS)
- 1 June 2006
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Multiple Sclerosis Journal
- Vol. 12 (3), 271-280
- https://doi.org/10.1191/135248506ms1261oa
Abstract
The approved interferon beta-1b (Betaseron®/Betaferon®) dose is 250 mg (8 MIU) administered subcutaneously (sc) every other day (eod). Clinical trial data suggest a dose-response effect for interferon beta in multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment and a maximum dose has yet to be established. The Interferon Dose Escalation Assessment of Safety (IDEAS) study evaluated the safety and tolerability of interferon beta-1b 500 mg (16 MIU) sc eod with structured dose escalation and adverse event (AE) management in 22 patients (20 interferon beta-1b-treated (SD) and two interferon beta-1b-naïve (ND)) with relapsing-remitting (RR) MS, secondary-progressive (SP) MS, or progressive relapsing MS. IDEAS comprised an eight-week dose escalation period and a 12-week maintenance period, with modification as clinically warranted. Autoinjectors were used for all injections ≥0.4 mL. Clinical laboratory values were monitored monthly. Baseline and exit assessments included the MS Functional Composite score, EDSS, and neutralizing antibody MxA assay. AEs were recorded at every injection. Dose escalation ranged from two to 12 weeks. Some 91% of patients (20/22) achieved the 500-mg dose, and of these 90% (18/20) completed the maintenance phase. There were no differences in response between ND and SD patients. Most common AEs were decreased general well-being, insomnia, and injection site reactions (mostly mild). The 500-mg dose of interferon beta-1b was well tolerated in the short-term with escalation and premedication in these patients, most of whom had previously been receiving 250 mg interferon beta-1b.Keywords
This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
- Neutralizing antibodies during treatment of secondary progressive MS with interferon β-1bNeurology, 2003
- Randomized, comparative study of interferon β-1a treatment regimens in MSNeurology, 2002
- Disease modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis: Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the MS Council for Clinical Practice GuidelinesNeurology, 2002
- Ibuprofen treatment versus gradual introduction of interferon β-1b in patients with MSNeurology, 1999
- Placebo-controlled multicentre randomised trial of interferon β-1b in treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosisThe Lancet, 1998
- Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study of interferon β-1a in relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosisThe Lancet, 1998
- Management of patients receiving interferon beta-1b for multiple sclerosisNeurology, 1996
- Systemic Recombinant Human Interferon-β Treatment of Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Pilot Study Analysis and Six-Year Follow-UpJournal of Interferon Research, 1993
- Interferon beta‐1b is effective in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosisNeurology, 1993
- Interferon beta‐1b is effective in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosisNeurology, 1993