About adveva > About Rebif®
Treating your MS
Presently, there is no cure for MS, but Rebif® can be used for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS to reduce the number and severity of clinical exacerbations and to slow the progression of disability.
Rebif can also be used for people who have experienced symptoms that are likely to be a first sign of MS (clinically isolated syndrome).
- Your doctor would have had to rule out other reasons that could have explained the symptoms. A test using an imaging machine (magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI) would have to show at least two signs of inflammation in the central nervous system suggestive of MS.
How does Rebif work?
Rebif is known as a disease-modifying drug (DMD). Its medicinal ingredient is called interferon beta-1a, which is a form of protein that occurs naturally in the body. Interferon beta has been shown to modify the immune response, but the exact way that Rebif works in MS is unknown.
How to take Rebif
Rebif is taken by subcutaneous injection, meaning it’s injected just under the skin, three times a week. You don’t need to mix your medication because it is ready to inject.
What is the usual treatment schedule?
For clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), the recommended dose is 44 mcg three times a week.
For relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the recommended dose is 44 mcg three times a week.
- Your doctor may reduce your dose to 22 mcg three times a week if you are not able to tolerate the higher dose.
Rebif has been carefully selected for you by your doctor according to your specific needs. It is very important to follow your doctor’s instructions, particularly about the amount and frequency of medication you are taking.
Your healthcare team can help you find ways to incorporate Rebif into your routine and keep track of your treatment plan.
What is an autoinjector?
Autoinjectors are injection devices that are designed to inject a single dose of medication. A benefit of the Rebif autoinjector – RebiSmart® – is that it hides the needle during the injection. It uses multidose cartridges, which store up to a week’s worth of medication.
You can use the autoinjector to take Rebif:
- RebiSmart, the first and only customizable electronic autoinjector in MS
Storing Rebif
We recommend you store Rebif in a refrigerator between 2ºC and 8ºC; however, you can store it at room temperature (≤25ºC) for up to 30 days. DO NOT freeze Rebif.
For more information about the effectiveness, administration and possible side effects of Rebif, contact adveva or speak with your doctor.
Before you use Rebif, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, think that you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby; if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed; if you have cardiac disease, severe renal failure or severe decrease in the development of blood cells; if you have a pre-existing seizure disorder; if you have depression or suicidal thoughts; if you have liver or kidney problems; or if you have problems with your thyroid gland.
Like all medicines, Rebif can have side effects. The most common side effects are flu-like symptoms and injection site reactions. These symptoms are generally mild, are more common at the start of the treatment, and decrease with continued use. If any of these undesirable effects are severe or persist, you should contact your healthcare team. In some cases, your physician may prescribe a pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) or may temporarily change your dose. You should not stop or alter the medication without your doctor’s advice.
Although uncommon, there is a potential risk of liver injury. As a safety precaution, your doctor will monitor your liver function with regular laboratory testing. If you notice any symptoms, such as loss of appetite with malaise, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or dark urine, please contact your doctor.
As with all interferons, female patients are recommended to use adequate contraception, as it is not known whether interferons interact with oral contraceptives, or if they interfere with fetus development.
Depression and thoughts or attempt of suicide may occur in patients with MS. If you have any of these feelings, please contact your physician immediately.
Warnings and precautions
Women of childbearing potential: If you are a woman of childbearing potential and are taking Rebif, you should use effective methods of contraception unless you are planning to become pregnant and have talked to your doctor about the potential risks and benefits of staying on Rebif. It is not known if interferons interfere with hormonal contraceptives. As with all interferons, female patients are recommended to use adequate contraception unless planning to become pregnant.
Contact your doctor right away if you experience the following symptoms:
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes become yellow or you are bruising easily
- Feeling noticeably sadder or helpless, or you feel like hurting yourself or others
- Flu-like syndrome, irregular heartbeat, fluid retention (swelling) in the lower parts of your body (e.g., ankles, legs) or shortness of breath
- Having a seizure
- Difficulty concentrating, feeling abnormally cold or hot, gaining or losing weight without a change in your diet or the amount of exercise you are getting, feeling unusually tired or nervous and having unusually very dry skin
Kidney problems: Blood clots in the small blood vessels may occur during your treatment. These blood clots could affect your kidneys (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or hemolytic uremic syndrome). This might happen several weeks to several years after starting Rebif. Your doctor may want to check your blood pressure, blood (platelet count) and the function of your kidneys.
For more information, please consult the package insert that came with your medication.
Your Rebif Patient Brochure provides detailed treatment information, tips and tools to help you start and stay on Rebif as prescribed by your doctor. Visit the adveva Catalogue any time to order supplies free of charge.
Rebif and RebiSmart are registered trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany or its affiliates.
