BETAFERON

Betaferon Information

Betaferon is part of the medication class called interferons. This type of medication is similar to certain proteins produced by the human organism, proteins that assist the organism in fighting attacks, such as viral infections, against the immune system of the patient.

Betaferon Indications

Betaferon is typically prescribed in patients that present first-time symptoms indicating a possible onset of multiple sclerosis or for the treatment of patients suffering from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis or from secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. In patients susceptible to developing multiple sclerosis, the examining health care professional will rule out any other possible causes of the patient’s symptoms prior to prescribing a treatment with this medication.

Betaferon may also be prescribed for the treatment of other clinical conditions as well. If you would like to obtain further information regarding the reason you have been prescribed a treatment with this drug, it is best that you consult the prescribing physician.

Betaferon Warnings

Betaferon should not be employed in the treatment of patients that are hypersensitive to this drug or to any of its ingredients. Also, this medical product should not be used to treat patients affected by severe liver disease or patients suffering from severe depression and those with suicidal tendencies. Patients that are pregnant should also not receive a treatment with Betaferon. Other medical conditions may also affect the health care provider’s decision to prescribe a treatment with this drug. It is best that you make sure that the prescribing health care professional is familiar with your medical history and general health condition before starting a treatment with this drug.

Betaferon Intake Guidelines

In most cases, the Betaferon injection will be administered by an authorized health care professional in hospital settings. However, you may obtain permission to administer the medication in the comfort of your own home. In such situations you will receive detailed instructions on how to properly administer the injection. You should closely follow the administration instructions, and prior to administering the injection you will need to prepare it by mixing the powder from a vial of Betaferon with 1.2 ml of solvent from the pre-filled syringe. You should note that the injection site needs to be changed regularly in order to reduce the risk of infection and to allow the area to recover.

Betaferon Dosage

Typically, the Betaferon dosage is of 1.0 ml of the prepared solution administered through subcutaneous injection once every two days. The treatment course will start with low doses (of 0.25 ml); the dose will be increased for every four injections by an additional 0.25 ml until the full dose of 1.0 ml is reached. The dosage and the administration schedule may vary from one case to another, depending on the affection being treated, the organism’s tolerance to the medication and on several other factors. It is advised to discuss with your personal health care provider regarding the exact Betaferon dosage best suited to your current situation.

Betaferon Overdose

It is strongly advised that you only use the prescribed dosage of Betaferon with each injection, and do not exceed the recommended number of administrations. While an overdose with this drug may not result in life-threatening situations, it may cause complications and severe consequences. At this time, the exact symptoms of an overdose with this drug are not known. If you believe that you have injected too much of this medical product or that you have exceeded the prescribed number of injections, you should consult with a specialized health care professional or contact the nearest emergency room.

Betaferon Missed Dose

In the event that you miss a Betaferon injection it is advised to administer it as soon as you remember and administer the following injection on time. If the moment when you remember is too close to another Betaferon injection, you should completely skip the missed dose and consult your personal physician regarding the matter. You should never administer a higher dose of this drug in order to make up for a lost one unless your prescribing health care professional specifically instructs you to do so.

Betaferon Side Effects

It is common at the beginning of the Betaferon treatment to experience mild side effects, such as reactions at the site of the injection or flu like symptoms. These will typically go away in time as your organism becomes adjusted to the medication. In order to reduce the incidence of such side effects, the initial dose needs to be low enough and then gradually increased until it reaches the normal dosage.

Apart from these symptoms, Betaferon may cause a number of other side effects. Most of them are mild and do not require discontinuation of the treatment; however a few of them may pose a serious threat to the patient’s health condition, such as allergic reactions, a clear decline in the patient’s mood or a worsening of the depression, the appearance or accentuation of suicidal tendencies, unusual bleeding or bruising, susceptibility to infections, arrhythmia, jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, swelling of the legs or ankles or pain radiating from the belly towards the back side. Other side effects not listed here may appear. It is best that you consult with your personal physician whenever you experience any unexpected signs and symptoms associated with Betaferon treatment.

Betaferon Drug Reactions

Betaferon may interact with other drugs and medication, and as such it is recommended that you let your personal physician know of any other medication you are currently taking before starting a therapy course with this drug. Usage of Betaferon simultaneously with drugs that affect the immune system response, drugs that affect the blood cell production or drugs that require a certain system of liver enzymes in order to be removed from the organism may not be recommended. For further information regarding Betaferon drug interactions, it is advised to consult a pharmacist, a doctor or a nurse.