Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) is in the class of drugs called interferons. There are other treatments available that may sound similar, such as Avonex® (interferon beta-1a) and Plegridy® (peginterferon beta-1a), but they are not the same product. They may differ in many ways, including formulation, method of delivery, frequency, and dose.
Head-to-head is the only way to compare
The only way to know if one drug is more effective than another is to evaluate them in the same study.
We compared Rebif to Avonex in a head-to-head study called EVIDENCE.* For an average of 64 weeks, Rebif 44 mcg was given to 339 people 3 times a week under the skin, with injections at least 48 hours apart. Avonex 30 mcg was given to 338 people once a week into the muscle.
A head-to-head† study proved Rebif was superior to another relapsing MS treatment. High-dose, high-frequency Rebif was proven superior to low-dose, low-frequency Avonex in 2 important ways:
1. RELAPSES
2. MRI LESIONS
Rebif was proven to work better than another relapsing MS treatment in a class I clinical trial.|| In fact, the results of this study comparing Rebif with Avonex were one of the reasons that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rebif. If you’re currently on Avonex and not doing as well as you expected, talk to your doctor about switching to Rebif.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
In the study, side effects between Rebif and Avonex were generally similar. 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.
At the end of the head-to-head (comparative) phase of the EVIDENCE study, the 605 remaining people were asked if they wanted to leave the study or keep going in the extension phase. In this phase of the study, which lasted an average of 8 months, 495 people chose to participate; 73% of those taking Avonex 30 mcg chose to take Rebif 44 mcg, whereas 91% of those taking Rebif 44 mcg decided to stay with it.
Before beginning treatment, you should discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with Rebif with your healthcare provider.
Rebif can cause serious side effects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the symptoms listed below while taking Rebif.
Rebif will not cure your MS but may decrease the number of flare-ups of the disease and slow the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS.
Do not take Rebif if you are allergic to interferon beta, human albumin, or any of the ingredients in Rebif.
Before you take Rebif, tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any of the following conditions:
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
The most common side effects of Rebif include:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of Rebif. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Before beginning treatment, you should discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with Rebif with your healthcare provider.
Rebif can cause serious side effects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the symptoms listed below while taking Rebif.
Rebif will not cure your MS but may decrease the number of flare-ups of the disease and slow the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS.
Do not take Rebif if you are allergic to interferon beta, human albumin, or any of the ingredients in Rebif.
Before you take Rebif, tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any of the following conditions:
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
The most common side effects of Rebif include:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of Rebif. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.