One day a cure for MS will be found. There are many new drugs approved to relieve symptoms but what interests patients and researchers most, besides a cure, is finding well-tolerated but effective ways to slow down the progression. Multiple Sclerosis Beta Interferon drugs are commonly used to halt or slow the disease’s progression. MS Beta Interferon in both the beta 1a and beta 1b forms have also increased the time between attacks (relapses).
Both Multiple Sclerosis Interferon Beta -1a and 1b injections have been found to help most in patients with Relapsing-Remitting multiple Sclerosis. Those with Secondary-progressive MS don’t seem to get the same results with either of the MS Beta Interferon treatments. Conversely, those that are diagnosed early and begin either treatment early experience the best results.
What is the difference between the two Multiple Sclerosis Interferon Beta drugs?
Interferon Beta-1a is made from cells found in all mammals, including humans. Interferon Beta 1-b is made by modifying the bacteria E. coli. Both drugs slow the progression of MS due to the anti-inflammatory action they produce. Some of the commonly prescribed beta 1a drugs are Rebif and Avonex. A well-known beta 1b drug is Betaseron. Although much of the actions of each drug are the same, the dosage is considerably different. The three interferon beta approved formulations for RRMS differ in the following way: Interferon beta-1a 30 microg is given once weekly. Interferon beta-1a 22 microg or 44 microg is administered three times weekly. Interferon beta-1b 250 microg is administered every other day. No clinical studies directly comparing the different regimens are published and it is not clear if they have been studied. But the different administering instructions may fit one patient’s lifestyle over another. Another difference between the two MS Interferon Beta drugs is a slight variation in the amino acid structure.
It seems it is difficult to quantify any significant head to head differences between the different interferon formulations. They are both proven in controlled trials to reduce symptoms and increase time between relapses. It may come down to a matter of cost and/or insurance coverage differences in drug insurance formularies. But it seems that most of the actual documented comparisons between the two Multiple Sclerosis Beta Interferon drugs were designed more to win FDA approval when a similar drug was already approved and on the market. One thing that is known is that there is a difference in the genes of patients that respond to these Interferon Beta drugs and those that don’t respond. Ask your doctor for his or her recommendation for your particular case. It seems that either one may be the right one for you.
MS Interferon beta 1-a drugs include Avonex and Rebif. Betaseron is a MS Interferon 1-b drug.
