EXTAVIA is one of several MS treatments called interferons that are known as disease-modifying therapies.
Interferon beta-1b is the active ingredient in EXTAVIA and is based on a protein that's found naturally in your body.
EXTAVIA is a prescription medicine used to reduce the number of relapses in people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This includes people who have had their first symptoms of multiple sclerosis and have an MRI consistent with MS. EXTAVIA will not cure MS but may decrease the number of flare-ups of the disease.
Although EXTAVIA is proven effective, the exact mechanism of action is unknown.
BENEFITS OF EXTAVIA
Every patient responds differently to treatment. But treating with EXTAVIA may be beneficial to you for these reasons:
- EXTAVIA has been shown to decrease the number of relapses
- EXTAVIA has been shown to help reduce the risk of having a second episode in patients with CIS
- EXTAVIA has been shown to decrease the number of new MRI lesions and reduce the size of existing MRI lesions
In studies of people taking interferon beta-1b, it has been shown that with this therapy you may:
- Experience a slower rate of relapse
- Experience fewer episodes of new or worsening symptoms
- Experience fewer days of moderate and severe relapsing symptoms
The importance of early treatment
If you've had one episode and MRI findings consistent with MS, EXTAVIA can help reduce your risk of having another clinical attack.
In patients who have had one episode and whose MRI findings are consistent with MS, EXTAVIA has been shown to reduce the risk of having a second clinical attack within 2 years.
side effects of extavia
The most common side effects with EXTAVIA (at least 2% more than placebo) were:
- Injection site reaction
- Flu-like symptom complex
- Excessive fatigue
- Headache
- Pain
- Increases in muscle tension
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Rash
- Chills
- Trouble sleeping
- Incoordination
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased white blood cells
- Tissue swelling
- Urinary urgency
- Skin disorder
- Chest pain
- Vaginal bleeding
- Impotence
- High blood pressure
- Malaise
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Shortness of breath
- Increased liver enzymes
- Injection site necrosis
NEXT: How Is EXTAVIA Taken?
EXTAVIA also provides access to complimentary support services
through the EXTAVIA®
Go Program™, such as one-on-one injection training.
