What can interferon beta-1b be used for?
Interferon beta-1b injection is used to treat the relapsing-remitting forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease.
How does interferon beta-1b work?
Mechanism of action. Interferon beta balances the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory agents in the brain, and reduces the number of inflammatory cells that cross the blood brain barrier. Overall, therapy with interferon beta leads to a reduction of neuron inflammation.
What drug class is interferon beta-1b?
Interferon beta-1b is in a class of medications called immunomodulators.
What is the difference between interferon 1a and 1b?
The difference between IFN-1a and -1b is that IFN-1a is glycosylated (IFN-1b is not), IFN-1b contains an amino acid mutation at position 17, and lacks a methionine at the N-terminus. Therefore, IFN-1a is more similar to human IFN than IFN- 1b.
Is interferon beta 1b an immunosuppressant?
Interferon proteins are normally considered virus-fighters, but scientists have found evidence that one of them, interferon beta, has an immune-suppressing effect that can help some viruses establish persistent infections.
Is interferon beta-1b an immunosuppressant?
Does beta interferon suppress the immune system?
Does interferon cause hair loss?
Your hair may become thin, brittle, or may fall out. This typically begins two to three weeks after treatment starts. This hair loss can be all body hair, including pubic, underarm, legs/arms, eyelashes, and nose hairs. The use of scarves, wigs, hats, and hairpieces may help.
What is the molecular weight of interferon beta 1b?
Interferon beta-1b has 165 amino acids and an approximate molecular weight of 18,500 daltons. It does not include the carbohydrate side chains found in the natural material. The specific activity of Betaseron is approximately 32 million international units (IU)/mg Interferon beta- lb.
Is beta interferon a drug-induced liver disease?
(Survey of drug induced liver fatalities reported to WHO database between 1968-2003 revealed 4690 reports; beta interferon did not rank among the 21 drugs linked to more than 50 cases)
What is the prognosis of interferon beta toxicity?
The liver injury caused by interferon beta ranges from mild and transient serum enzyme elevations to clinically apparent liver injury with jaundice to rare instances of acute liver failure. In most cases, the injury usually resolves with discontinuation, sometimes with a delay of one to two weeks.
Can interferon cause elevated alkaline phosphatase levels?
The alkaline phosphatase elevations were somewhat atypical for beta interferon induced liver injury, but mild elevations were present even before interferon was given. The patient was taking several other medications which can induce liver injury, but the liver abnormalities resolved despite continuation of these drugs.