Betaferon

Betaferon (interferon-1b) is a specially modified preparation of interferon beta. This is a naturally occurring cytokine found in the body which has several immune functions. Betaferon is used to treat patients with a confirmed diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic and disabling disease of the central nervous system (CNS) thought to be caused by the bodys immune system attacking cells of the brain and spinal cord. This leads to demyelination (removal of the electrical conducting layer of nerve cells) and various neurological problems (such as visual disturbances, arm or leg weakness and bowel/bladder problems). If left untreated the disease can lead to severe impairments in mobility and disability. Betaferon is used to treat the relapsing form of MS where patients experience separated episodes of neurological symptoms with resolution in between attacks. If you have experienced more than two attacks of symptoms in the last two years you will be considered suitable for treatment with Betaferon. In addition, you must be ambulatory (be able to walk) to be suitable for this treatment. Betaferon reduces the frequency and severity of attacks and delays the overall progression of disability. Betaferon is also now used for the treatment of patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. In this type of multiple sclerosis, patients have a progressive deterioration in signs and symptoms. In these patients, Betaferon has been shown to delay the progression of disease. In both types of disease, Betaferon reduces the number of lesions detected in the brain during brain scanning.

• Betaferon

• Avonex
• Betaferon
• Copaxone
• Rebif