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About Rebif
Relapsing MS Treatment: Consider Your Options
Considering Avonex?
- Rebif 44 mcg was proven to work better than Avonex 30 mcg at reducing relapses and brain lesion activity on MRI1,2
- People who chose to change to Rebif 44 mcg from Avonex 30 mcg had a reduction in both relapses and new brain lesions1,3
- Avonex is injected into the muscle. Rebif is injected with a thinner needle just under the skin
- Unlike Avonex, Rebif offers an auto-injector, Rebiject II, that has been designed to make injections easier than with manual injection
- Compared with Avonex, side effects were generally similar despite the higher, more frequent dosing of Rebif. Differences Included:
- People taking Avonex had more flu-like symptoms than those taking Rebif.
- People taking Rebif had a greater number of injection-site reactions, elevated liver enzymes, and decreased white blood cell counts. These events also occurred more frequently with Rebif post transition versus prior use of Avonex.
Considering Betaseron?
- Betaseron is not indicated to delay disability progression
- The Betaseron syringe requires assembly and mixing, which involves 13 more steps than Rebif. The Rebif syringe is preassembled and prefilled, which can save you time
- Betaseron must be injected every other day under the skin. With Rebif, you have 26 fewer injections per year than you would with Betaseron
Considering Copaxone?
- Copaxone is not indicated to delay disability progression
- Copaxone must be injected every single day. With Rebif, you have 209 fewer injections per year than you would with Copaxone
- Rebif is injected with a thinner needle than Copaxone
Considering Tysabri?
- Tysabri must be administered by a health care provider once a month through IV infusion. Rebif can be self administered in the comfort of your home
- Tysabri is generally recommended for people who have had an inadequate response to, or are unable to tolerate, alternate multiple sclerosis therapies
Talk to Your Doctor about whether Rebif is the Right Treatment for Your Relapsing MS.
Why Rebif May be Right for You
- Rebif is proven to work in all 3 important aspects of relapsing MS:
- Delaying disability progression
- Reducing the frequency of relapses
- Reducing brain lesion activity and area (as seen on MRI)1
- Rebif offers the confidence of a well established safety profile, with over 15 years of clinical trial and patient experience
- Rebif 44 mcg is the only relapsing MS treatment proven to work better than another in a class I head-to-head study4
- Rebif 44 mcg was shown to work better than Avonex 30 mcg at reducing relapses and brain lesions on MRI in a study that lasted an average of 64 weeks1
- In this study, people who changed to Rebif had even greater improvements in relapses and brain lesions compared with their last 6 months on Avonex1
- With Rebif, you get more than an effective treatment. You get the entire MS LifeLines® Network of Support:
- Customer Support Specialists help ensure that you get the support you need
- Nurse Support Specialists answer your questions and even provide injection training in the comfort of your home
- Reimbursement Specialists work with your insurance company to help you get the best possible coverage for Rebif. They can also connect you with assistance programs
- Ambassadors are people living with relapsing MS and taking Rebif. They are here to inspire you with their personal stories and experiences and offer support and guidance
Learn more about the MS LifeLines Network of Support.
Rebif is more than an effective treatment for relapsing MS—through MS LifeLines, Rebif offers an entire community of people who can support you today, and every step of the way.
Remember, When it Comes to Fighting Your Relapsing MS, You are Not Alone.
1. The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disability progression, is unknown.2. Over an average of 64 weeks in the EVIDENCE study.
3. Patients changed to Rebif 44 mcg for 8 months. Results were compared with patients' last 6 months on Avonex
4. According to the American Academy of Neurology, data from class I studies are collected under the highest scientific standards and are thought to be the most valid.
This information is intended only for residents of the United States.
Important Safety Information
Rebif is used to treat relapsing forms of MS to decrease the frequency of relapses and delay the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS. Rebif is not approved for treatment of chronic progressive MS. Rebif is available in 22 mcg and 44 mcg prefilled, preassembled syringes and a titration pack by prescription only.
Before beginning treatment, patients should discuss with their doctor the potential benefits and risks associated with Rebif. Let your doctor know if you have a history of depression, seizures, liver disease, thyroid problems, or blood cell count or bleeding problems, or if you have had previous allergic reactions to medications. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Rebif and other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects. Talk to your doctor before you take any new medicines. Rebif is not recommended for women who are or plan to become pregnant.
Potential serious side effects of Rebif include depression, liver problems, risk to pregnancy, injection-site problems, and severe allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are rare and may be associated with difficulty in breathing and loss of consciousness, which require immediate medical attention.
The most common side effects with Rebif are injection-site reactions, flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches, tiredness), depression, abdominal pain, increased liver enzymes, and blood cell count decreases. Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms or feel sad, tired, hot or cold, or experience hives, rashes, bruising, yellowing of the skin, or a change in body weight (gain or loss).
Compared with Avonex in a clinical trial, side effects were generally similar despite the higher, more frequent dosing of Rebif. Differences included people taking Avonex had more flu-like symptoms than those taking Rebif. People taking Rebif had a greater number of injection-site reactions, elevated liver enzymes, and decreased white blood cell counts. Events that occurred more frequently with Rebif posttransition versus prior use of Avonex included injection-site disorders, hepatic function disorders, and white blood cell disorders.
Rebif, Rebiject II, and MS LifeLines are registered trademarks and the Rebif logo is a trademark of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.
Avonex is a registered trademark of Biogen Idec.
Betaseron is a registered trademark of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.
Copaxone is a registered trademark of Teva Neuroscience, Inc.
Tysabri is a registered trademark of Elan Corporation, Inc.
Micro Pin is a registered trademark of B. Braun Medical Inc.
MS ActiveSource is a registered trademark of Biogen Idec.
BETAPLUS is a trademark of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
This information is not intended to replace discussions with your healthcare provider. For additional information about Rebif, please consult the Medication Guide or Prescribing Information and talk to your doctor. You can also call toll free 1-877-44-REBIF (1-877-447-3243). Rebif is available by prescription only.
MS LifeLines is an educational support service for people living with MS and their families. MS LifeLines and MS LifeLines Ambassadors are sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
MS LifeLines, Rebif and Rebiject II are registered trademarks of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.
MS in Balance is a service mark of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.
© Copyright 2009 EMD Serono, Inc. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
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