FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Rebif^® is a brand name for a product called interferon beta-1a. Interferons belong to a family of proteins that occur naturally in the body. Rebif^® will not cure MS, but it has been shown to decrease the number of relapses and slow the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS. Rebif^® can cause serious side effects, so before you start taking it, you should talk with your healthcare provider about the possible benefits of Rebif^® and its possible side effects to decide if it is right for you.

In the 2-year PRISMS* study, Rebif^® was proven to be effective in treating RMS in 3 ways:

• Reduced the number of relapses
  People taking Rebif^® 44 mcg (n=184) had 32% fewer relapses than those who took a placebo (n=187).
• Slowed the time to disability progression
  Patients taking Rebif^® 44 mcg (n=184) took nearly twice as long (21.3 months) to show sustained disability progression^† compared to those (n=187) taking placebo (11.9 months).
• Fewer new or enlarging brain lesions visible on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  At 9 months, people taking Rebif^® 44 mcg (n=184) had 78% fewer lesions compared to patients taking placebo (n=187).

See more study results showing the efficacy of Rebif^®

*PRISMS: Prevention of Relapses and Disability by Interferon β-1a Subcutaneously in Multiple Sclerosis.
†Progression of disability was defined as an increase of at least 1 point in the EDSS that was sustained for at least 3 months.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Rebif^® can cause serious side effects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following while taking Rebif^®: behavioral health problems, including depression and suicidal thoughts; liver problems or worsening of liver problems, including liver failure; serious allergic and skin reactions; injection site problems; blood problems; pulmonary arterial hypertension; or seizures.

Yes, Rebif^® has been proven to work better than Avonex^® (interferon beta-1a).

In the EVIDENCE^* study — a head-to-head (comparative) analysis of more than 600 participants over an average of a 64-week period— high-dose, high-frequency Rebif^® (44 mcg three times weekly) proven superior to low-dose, low-frequency Avonex^® (30 mcg once weekly). Specifically, more people taking Rebif^®:

• were relapse-free than those taking Avonex^®
• showed fewer new or enlarging MRI brain lesions than those taking Avonex^®

While the side-effects between the two treatments were generally similar, people taking Avonex^® had more flu-like symptoms than those taking Rebif^®, though those on Rebif^® had a greater number of injection site reactions, liver disorders, and white blood cell disorders.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about titration when first starting on Rebif^®. Titration means starting at a lower dose and then gradually building up to the full dose. This may help reduce flu-like symptoms when you're first starting on Rebif^®.

See more results from the head-to-head study

*EVIDENCE: EVidence for Interferon Dose-response: European North American Comparative Efficacy.

Rebif^® can cause serious side effects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the symptoms listed below while taking Rebif.

• Behavioral health problems, including depression and suicidal thoughts. You may have mood problems including depression (feeling hopeless or feeling bad about yourself), and thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide.
• Liver problems or worsening of liver problems, including liver failure. Symptoms may include nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, dark colored urine and pale stools, and more yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eye, bleeding more easily than normal, confusion, and sleepiness. During your treatment with Rebif you will need to see your healthcare provider regularly and have regular blood tests to check for side effects.
• Serious allergic and skin reactions. Symptoms may include  itching, swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, anxiousness, etc. feeling faint, skin rash, hives, sores in your mouth, or skin blisters and peels.
• Injection site problems. Rebif^® may cause redness, pain, itching or swelling at the place where your injection was given. Call your healthcare provider right away if an injection site becomes swollen and painful or the area looks infected. You may have a skin infection or an area of severe skin damage (necrosis) requiring treatment by a healthcare provider.
  
• Blood problems. Rebif^® can affect your bone marrow and cause low red and white blood cell and platelet counts. In some people, these blood cell counts may fall to dangerously low levels. If your blood cell counts become very low, you can get infections and problems with bleeding and bruising. Your healthcare provider may ask you to have regular blood tests to check for blood problems.
• Pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulmonary arterial hypertension can occur with interferon beta products, including REBIF. Symptoms may include new or increasing fatigue or shortness of breath. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop these symptoms.
• Seizures. Some people have had seizures while taking Rebif^®.

The most common side effects of Rebif^® include:

• flu-like symptoms. You may have flu-like symptoms when you first start taking Rebif^®. You may be able to manage these flu-like symptoms by taking over-the-counter pain and fever reducers. For many people, these symptoms lessen or go away over time. Symptoms may include muscle aches, fever, tiredness, and chills
• stomach pain
• change in liver blood tests

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.

Do not take Rebif^® if you:

• are allergic to interferon beta, human albumin, or any of the ingredients in Rebif^®. See the end of the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Rebif^®

Before you take Rebif^®, tell your healthcare provider if have or have had any of the following conditions:

• mental illness, including depression and suicidal behavior
• liver problems
• bleeding problems or blood clots
• low blood cell counts
• seizures (epilepsy)
• thyroid problems
• drink alcohol
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Rebif^® can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during your treatment with Rebif^®
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Rebif^® may pass into your breastmilk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take Rebif^®

Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

• Rebif^® and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure
• Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine

Rebif^® is injected under the skin 3 times weekly, 48 hours apart. There are 3 options for how to inject Rebif^®:

• Prefilled syringes that already contain medicine and do not require assembly or adjustment
• The Rebiject II^® autoinjector, which works with the prefilled syringe and allows for subcutaneous needle depth adjustment
• Rebif^® Rebidose^® (interferon beta-1a), which is a preassembled, prefilled, single-use autoinjector

Rebif^® should only be self-injected following proper training from a medical professional. Call 1-877-447-3243 to learn more about potential injection training from an MS LifeLines^® Nurse.

Learn more about the 3 injection options

Rebif^® injections should be taken 3 times a week. Injections should be taken at the same time of day, at least 48 hours apart. Many people choose to take their injections on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday so that they have injection-free weekends.  To keep track of your injection days and injection sites, you can use a treatment journal.  Download your own treatment tracker

Rebif^® Rebidose^® is a preassembled, single-use autoinjector for taking Rebif^®.

• No assembly required
• Portable, goes where you go
• Covered needle before and after the injection
• Flexible dosing options (44 mcg and 22 mcg)

Learn more about Rebif^® Rebidose^®

Rebif^® should be stored refrigerated between 36 °F and 46 °F (2 °C and 8 °C). Do not freeze. If a refrigerator is not available, Rebif^® may be stored between 36 °F and 77 °F (2 °C and 25 °C) for up to 30 days and away from heat and light. At the beginning of Rebif^® treatment, your healthcare provider may prescribe a titration phase to gradually increase to the intended dosage.

You should only use Rebif^® Rebidose^® after you have received proper training from a medical professional. An MS LifeLines^® Nurse may be able to provide injection training.

Learn more or watch an injection training video

Your healthcare provider may teach you and/or your care partner the proper way to inject Rebif^®. An MS LifeLines^® Nurse may also be able to provide injection training. Just call MS LifeLines^® toll-free at 1-877-447-3243 Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET, and Saturday, from 9 AM to 5 PM ET.

Do not give yourself an injection until you are comfortable with the dosing and injection process.

Do not heat or microwave the medication. You can allow Rebif^® to reach room temperature gradually before use (typically 1 to 4 hours before the injection). Doing this may help minimize injection site discomfort.

Remember to temporarily store your Rebif^® somewhere safe and out of the way. Keep away from heat and light. Room temperature should be under 77 °F (25 °C) and above 36 °F (2 °C).

If you miss an injection, you should take your next injection as soon as you remember or are able to take it, then skip the following day. Do not take Rebif^® on 2 consecutive days. If you accidentally take more than your prescribed dose, or take it on 2 consecutive days, call your healthcare provider right away.

If you accidentally take the wrong dose, call your healthcare provider right away.

Store Rebif^® in the refrigerator between 36 °F and 46 °F (2 °C and 8 °C). If a refrigerator is not available, it may be stored between 36 °F and 77 °F (2 °C and 25 °C) for up to 30 days, away from heat and light. Do not freeze Rebif^® or inject Rebif^® that you suspect has been frozen.

Don’t dispose of Rebif^® injectors in household trash. As the disposal of hazardous waste (such as needles, syringes, and Rebif^® Rebidose^® autoinjectors) varies according to local laws, consult with your doctor on proper practices. Healthcare providers may provide you with a sharps container for immediate disposal of autoinjectors after use. 

To determine how to dispose of hazardous waste in your state, visit the FDA website.

If you will be spending time away from home, you should take your Rebif^® with you. First, pack the supplies that you'll need for your trip. A handy travel kit that can carry all of your injection supplies is available for free through the MS LifeLines^® support program by calling 1-877-447-3243. If a refrigerator is not available while you are traveling, Rebif^® may be stored stored between 36 °F and 77 °F (2 °C and 25 °C) for up to 30 days and away from heat and light. For this reason, the travel kit provides a reusable ice pack to help maintain Rebif^® syringes at the correct temperature while you travel.

Rebif^® should be stored refrigerated between 36 °F and 46 °F (2 °C and 8 °C). Do not freeze. You should check the temperature of the refrigerator that you are using while traveling to avoid unintentionally freezing Rebif^®. For small hotel refrigerators, store Rebif^® away from the unit's cooling element and small freezer compartment.

If you are traveling by car, don't leave Rebif^® on the dashboard, in the glove compartment, or in the trunk. This is important even if you have it in the insulated pack provided in the travel kit. Keep your syringes with you in the climate-controlled area of the car.

If you are flying, plan to carry your Rebif^® syringes with you onboard in your carry-on luggage. Be sure to check the latest TSA regulations regarding traveling with injectable medicines. These are subject to change and may require certain documentation.

If you become pregnant while taking Rebif^®, you should call your doctor right away. It is not known if Rebif^® can harm your unborn baby.

Yes. When it comes to helping you start and stay on Rebif^® therapy, MS LifeLines^® is committed to finding affordable access. There are a number of programs available, including as little as $0 co-pay for those eligible. To see if you're eligible for these programs, call 1-877-447-3243, to speak with an MS LifeLines^® Financial Support Specialist, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET, and Saturday, 9 AM to 5 pm PM.

Attention Patients: Federal and state healthcare program beneficiaries are not eligible for the MS LifeLines^® $0 co-pay program. If you participate in a federal or state healthcare program, including Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any other similar federal or state healthcare program, including any state medical pharmaceutical assistance program, you are not eligible to utilize the MS LifeLines^® $0 co-pay program.