Interferon beta-1b User Reviews & Ratings

• top...
• May 29, 2010

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have had MS since 1996 - diagnosed at the age of 49. My MS is very mild compared to my older sister, who was diagnosed around 1970 and needs assistance to walk. I have been on Betaseron for 14 years, and other than initial flu-like symptoms, have tolerated it very well. However, the key to avoiding the symptoms is to keep Tylenol or some other pain relief medication in my system. In 14 years, I have only had 3 relapses, and Betaseron has slowed the progression of my MS and lessened the severity of relapses. The one side effect I am experiencing is injection site reactions that leave the area red, sore, and over time have caused muscle atrophy in my arms and buttocks. Even so, I would still recommend Betaseron to anyone with relapsing-remitting MS."

• MSS...
• June 26, 2009

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've been on all interferons for multiple sclerosis. My experience being on them may not become yours. I became depressive, in part because of knowing I had MS, but then again knowing answered much of my questions. It's hard for doctors to recognize these changes when they don't see you in your everyday environment. It is important to discuss probable mood swings with your doctor. State of mind is state of health, and being down in the dumps doesn't help MS progression. I know many people who are on interferons and do well. If I had my choice of the three available interferons, it would be this one to start with. Presently, I'm not on any medicine and have 3 new lesions in the brain. Please remember, my experience is not a foregone conclusion."

• Red...
• December 18, 2013

For Multiple Sclerosis "First diagnosed with MS in 2000 and started Betaseron then, great results. Had mild side effects, including temporary flu-like symptoms and sore injection sites, but that was all. Since the flare-up that led to my diagnosis, I have only had 5 flares that I knew were flare-ups, with only 1 being a more moderate flare-up with similar symptoms as the one that got me diagnosed."

• abe...
• March 4, 2013

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was on Betaseron for 1 year before finally deciding to try something else. It was effective in the fact that I had no new lesions while taking the medication. However, I experienced flu-like symptoms after each injection, including headaches, body aches, fever, and chills. I didn't want to give up on it because everything I read said that this was a temporary side effect. Anyway, after a year of staying tired and feeling terrible from the medication, not from the Multiple Sclerosis, I decided to move on."

• sjf...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 1, 2014

For Multiple Sclerosis "I still have some side effects from the medication. But they are much better than the last medication. One blue-black discoloration from one injection, occasional headache, hypertension, occasional speaking problems, occasional vomiting, decreased sexual ability."

• Daw...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 23, 2023

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was on Betaseron injections from 2005-2012. I’m not sure what, if anything, it did for the MS. I still got new lesions. I was sick a lot and in terrible pain all the time on Betaseron, which drove me to pain management. I just felt general malaise all the time and had many of the long list of side effects. I was diagnosed with MS in 2003, and overall, I do much better nowadays with diet, exercise, and cannabis, especially in edible form for nerve pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 15, 2024

For Multiple Sclerosis "Took medication for 15 years. Once the body adjusted to flu-like symptoms that occurred randomly with the injections, I did very well according to my MD. She wanted to switch medications for approximately 3 years. I did not want to change with no issues. My injection site options/landscape were running short since I have another autoimmune issue that requires injections. Therefore, I had too much scar issue when rotating. The last injection I ever took got infected. It has healed, but Betaseron kept me healing, and I would have stayed on it except for needing more landscape. Very dependable, minimal side effects. The new pill I am taking has my hair falling out in handfuls. If someone can handle the injection, this is a stable drug."

• Chr...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 19, 2024

For Multiple Sclerosis "Injection site bruise. Not sure if works as symptoms of MS have stayed the same but have not become worse - they are stable. Became tired of every other day dosage and Dr. changed dosage for me to 2X per week and still stable. MS is unpredictable and I have to factor aging into any symptoms. Not sure how much credit I can give to medicine or not."

• jam...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 18, 2023

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have taken Betaseron for 31 years. I am now 81 years of age. It has worked well, and I suffer very few side effects from this drug."