How Rebif^® (interferon beta-1a) is different

Rebif is the only self-injected relapsing MS therapy proven to work across all 3 key treatment goals: slowing disability progression, reducing relapse rate and reducing the development of brain lesions as seen on MRI

The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disability progression, is unknown.

Rebif also differs in how it is prepared and taken. The chart below provides an overview of dosing and administration for the current injectable relapsing MS DMD therapies.

No conclusions regarding comparative safety or efficacy of these products can be drawn from these data. Talk to your doctor about what therapy is right for you.

Discussing treatment options with your doctor?
Consider Rebif with confidence.

Considering Avonex?

The EVIDENCE study, a head-to-head trial, compared Rebif^® (interferon beta-1a) with Avonex^® (interferon beta-1a) for an average of 64 weeks. Rebif 44 mcg was given to 339 people 3 times per week just under the skin, at least 48 hours apart. Avonex 30 mcg was given to 338 people once per week into the muscle.

• Rebif 44 mcg was proven to work better than Avonex 30 mcg at reducing relapses and brain lesion activity on MRI.*

Of the 605 people who completed the head-to-head phase of the EVIDENCE study, 73% of people taking Avonex and 91% of people taking Rebif chose to take Rebif 44 mcg in the extension phase of the study (n = 495), which lasted an average of 8 months.

• People who chose to change to Rebif 44 mcg from Avonex 30 mcg during the extended phase of the EVIDENCE study experienced a reduction in both relapses and new or enlarging brain lesions. Results were compared with patients' last 6 months on Avonex.*
• People who chose to stay on Rebif during the extended phase of the EVIDENCE study experienced continued reductions in relapse rates.

*The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disability progression, is unknown.

Certain side effects occurred more frequently in people who changed from Avonex to Rebif: injection-site disorders, increased liver enzymes, and decreased white blood cell counts. These events also occurred more frequently with Rebif posttransition versus prior use of Avonex.

• Avonex is injected into the muscle with a 1¼ inch needle. Rebif is injected with a shorter, ½ inch needle just under the skin.
• Rebif offers an auto-injector, Rebiject II^®. Rebiject II has been designed to help make Rebif injections easier than a manual Rebif injection. With the Rebiject II, the needle remains hidden both before and after injecting.

Considering Betaseron?

• Rebif is indicated to delay disability progression.
• The Rebif syringe is preassembled and prefilled. The Betaseron syringe requires assembly and mixing, which involves 13 more steps than Rebif.
• Betaseron must be injected every other day under the skin. With Rebif, you have 26 fewer injections per year than you would with Betaseron, and you have the option of injection-free weekends.

Considering Extavia?

• Extavia is another branded interferon beta-1b, which is identical to Betaseron. No additional clinical trials of Extavia have been conducted.
• Given that Extavia has the same molecular structure, dose and frequency as Betaseron, Extavia is not a new therapeutic advance in the treatment of MS.

Considering Copaxone?

• Rebif is 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.
• The 3-times weekly dosing schedule of Rebif allows for injection-free weekends. Rebif injections should be at least 48 hours apart.

Considering Tysabri^® (natalizumab)?

• Rebif can be self-administered in just a few steps in the comfort of your home. Tysabri must be administered by a health care professional once per month through an intravenous infusion, and requires 1 hour for observation.
• Tysabri is generally recommended for people who have had an inadequate response to or are unable to tolerate an alternative multiple sclerosis therapy.

Relapsing MS can affect people differently. So can the medications used to treat it. A treatment may be right for one person, but it may not be the best choice for another. Talk to your doctor, and together you can decide which therapy is right for you.

Please see important safety information below and the Rebif Medication Guide and Prescribing Information in the top right corner of this website, and speak with your doctor for more information.

With Rebif, you're not alone

Rebif gives you access to MS LifeLines^®, a comprehensive network of support that is ready to assist you and your family with your questions and concerns.

The MS LifeLines network includes:

• Customer Support Specialists—caring and knowledgeable, they are ready to help you in any way they can.
• The MS LifeLines Nurse Network—if you have questions about relapsing MS and Rebif, ask them!
• Reimbursement Specialists—dedicated to helping you find affordable access to Rebif where available.
• MS LifeLines Ambassadors—people like you living with relapsing MS.
• Local Programming and Web Events—where you can listen and learn from health care professionals and people living with relapsing MS.

Speakers and MS LifeLines Ambassadors who participate in Talk MS and live events are sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

You can connect with MS LifeLines in many ways: through web events, over the phone or through live community programs.

Call MS LifeLines toll-free at 1-877-447-3243.

Related Topics

• Rebif FAQs
• Benefits of Rebif
• Talking to Your Doctor
• What People Say

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