Generic name: interferon beta-1a [ in-ter-FEAR-on-BAY-ta ]
Drug class: Interferons

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Aug 23, 2023.

What is ?

Rebif is made from human proteins. Interferons help the body fight viral infections.

Rebif is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults (including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease).

Rebif will not cure MS, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.

Warnings

Some people have thoughts about suicide while using Rebif. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Interferon beta-1a can harm your liver. Call your doctor if you have symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, confusion, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Before using Rebif, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver disease, a thyroid disorder, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, heart disease, chest pain (angina), congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, or a history of depression or suicidal behavior.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Rebif if you are allergic to natural or recombinant interferon beta or human albumin.

To make sure Rebif is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions;

• liver disease;

• bleeding problems or a blood clot;

• low blood cell counts;

• heart disease;

• a thyroid disorder;

• a latex allergy;

• an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriasis;

• a seizure; or

• if you drink alcohol.

Some brands of interferon beta-1a contain donated human plasma and may contain viruses or other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of contamination, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Ask your doctor about any possible risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.

Interferon beta-1a is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I use Rebif?

Use Rebif exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Rebif is given by injection. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

Rebif is injected under the skin, usually 3 times per week (such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) at the same time on each dosing day.

Your care provider will show you where on your body to administer the injection. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

About 2 hours after your injection, check for skin redness, swelling, or pain where you gave the injection. Call your doctor if you have a skin reaction that does not go away within a few days.

This medicine can cause flu-like symptoms, especially when you first start using it. You may be given other medications to help prevent these symptoms. Keep using these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Each prefilled syringe or autoinjector is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Protect from light and do not freeze.

You may also store Rebif for a short time at cool room temperature protected from light.

• Do not leave the Rebif prefilled syringe or autoinjector out of a refrigerator for longer than a total of 30 days.

Do not freeze. Throw away the medicine if it has become frozen.

Each syringe or autoinjector is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Multiple Sclerosis:

22 mcg or 44 mcg subcutaneously 3 times a week:
TITRATION DOSE FOR 22 MCG:
Weeks 1 to 2: 4.4 mcg subcutaneously 3 times a week
Weeks 3 to 4: 11 mcg subcutaneously 3 times a week
Weeks 5+: 22 mcg subcutaneously 3 times a week
TITRATION DOSE FOR 44 MCG:
Weeks 1 to 2: 8.8 mcg subcutaneously 3 times a week
Weeks 3 to 4: 22 mcg subcutaneously 3 times a week
Weeks 5+: 44 mcg subcutaneously 3 times a week

Use: For the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to slow the accumulation of physical disability and decrease the frequency of clinical exacerbations. Patients with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has been demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with multiple sclerosis

Related/similar drugs

Ocrevus, Tecfidera, Betaseron, Briumvi, Ocrevus Zunovo, Extavia, Copaxone, Aubagio, Gilenya, Avonex

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Rebif?

Avoid injecting this medicine into skin that is red, bruised, irritated, scarred, or infected.

Rebif side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Rebif (hives, itching, anxiety, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Interferon beta-1a can cause life-threatening blood clots in the small blood vessels inside your organs, such as your brain or kidneys. Seek medical help right away if you have symptoms of this condition, such as a fever, tiredness, decreased urination, bruising, or nosebleeds.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• pain, swelling, bruising, redness, oozing, or skin changes where the injection was given;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• unusual changes in mood or behavior (feeling hopeless, anxious, nervous, irritable, or depressed);

• thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

• a seizure;

• heart problems - swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath, rapid heartbeats, chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

• liver problems - nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, confusion, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes);

• signs of infection - fever, chills, cough with mucus, bloody diarrhea, pain or burning when you urinate; or

• thyroid problems - mood swings, trouble sleeping, tiredness, hunger, diarrhea, pounding heartbeats, muscle weakness, sweating, dry skin, thinning hair, menstrual changes, weight changes, puffiness in your face, feeling more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.

Common Rebif side effects may include:

• low blood cell counts;

• skin changes where the injection was given;

• depression;

• abnormal liver function tests;

• stomach pain; or

• flu symptoms - headache, fever, chills, chest pain, back pain, tiredness, weakness, muscle aches.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Rebif?

Other drugs may interact with interferon beta-1a, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Rebif Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There are 2 for Rebif.

Popular FAQ

More FAQ

• How and where do you inject Rebif?
• What is Rebif used for and how does it work?
• Does Rebif suppress the immune system?

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Rebif only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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