IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindications. BETASERON (interferon beta-1b) is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to natural or recombinant interferon beta, Albumin (Human), mannitol, or any other component of the formulation.

Hepatic Injury. Severe hepatic injury including cases of hepatic failure has been rarely reported in patients taking BETASERON. In some cases, these events have occurred in the presence of other drugs or comorbid medical conditions that have been associated with hepatic injury. Consider the potential risk of BETASERON used in combination with known hepatotoxic drugs or other products (e.g., alcohol) prior to BETASERON administration, or when adding new agents to the regimen of patients already on BETASERON. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hepatic injury. Consider discontinuing BETASERON if serum transaminase levels significantly increase, or if they are associated with clinical symptoms such as jaundice.

Asymptomatic elevation of serum transaminases is common in patients treated with BETASERON. In controlled clinical trials, elevations of SGPT to greater than five times baseline value were reported in 12% of patients receiving BETASERON (compared to 4% on placebo), and increases of SGOT to greater than five times baseline value were reported in 4% of patients receiving BETASERON (compared to 1% on placebo), leading to dose-reduction or discontinuation of treatment in some patients. Monitor liver function tests.

Anaphylaxis and Other Allergic-Reactions. Anaphylaxis has been reported as a rare complication of BETASERON use. Other allergic reactions have included dyspnea, bronchospasm, tongue edema, skin rash and urticaria.
Discontinue BETASERON if anaphylaxis occurs.

Depression and Suicide.  Depression and suicide have been reported to occur with increased frequency in patients receiving interferon compounds, including BETASERON. Patients treated with BETASERON should be advised to report immediately any symptoms of depression and/or suicidal ideation. Consider discontinuation of BETASERON if depression occurs.

Congestive Heart Failure. Monitor patients with pre-existing congestive heart failure (CHF) for worsening of their cardiac condition during initiation of and continued treatment with BETASERON. Cases of CHF, cardiomyopathy, and cardiomyopathy with CHF have been reported in patients without known predisposition to these events, and without other known etiologies being established. In some cases, these events have been temporally related to the administration of BETASERON. Recurrence upon rechallenge was observed in some patients. Consider discontinuation of BETASERON if worsening of CHF occurs with no other etiology.

Injection Site Necrosis and Reactions. Injection site reactions occurred in 78% of BETASERON patients receiving BETASERON (compared to 26% on placebo) in controlled clinical trials with injection site necrosis reported in 4% of BETASERON patients (compared to 0% on placebo). For patients who continue BETASERON after injection site necrosis has occurred, BETASERON should not be administered into the affected area until it is fully healed. If multiple lesions occur, therapy should be discontinued until healing occurs. Patients should be advised of the importance of the use of aseptic technique and rotating injection sites.

Leukopenia. Leukopenia has been reported in 18% of patients receiving BETASERON (compared to 6% on placebo) in controlled clinical trials leading to a reduction in dose in some patients. Monitoring of complete blood and differential white blood cell counts is recommended. Patients with myelosuppression may require more intensive monitoring.

Thrombotic Microangiopathy.  Cases of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome, some fatal, have been reported several weeks to years after starting interferon beta products. Discontinue BETASERON if clinical symptoms and laboratory findings consistent with TMA occur, and manage as clinically indicated.

Flu-like Symptom Complex.  Flu-like symptom complex for patients on BETASERON was 57% (versus 37% on placebo) in controlled clinical trials. Analgesics and/or antipyretics on treatment days may help ameliorate flu-like symptoms.

Seizures.  Seizures have been temporally associated with the use of beta interferons.

Drug-induced Lupus Erythematosus.  Drug-induced lupus erythematosus has been reported with interferon beta products, including BETASERON. Signs and symptoms of drug-induced lupus reported in BETASERON-treated patients have included rash, serositis, polyarthritis, nephritis, and Raynaud's phenomenon. Cases have occurred with positive serologic testing (positive anti-nuclear and/or anti-double-stranded DNA antibody testing). If patients develop new signs and symptoms of this syndrome, BETASERON therapy should be stopped.

Monitoring for Laboratory Abnormalities. In addition to those laboratory tests normally required for monitoring patients with multiple sclerosis, complete blood and differential white blood cell counts, platelet counts and blood chemistries including liver function tests are recommended at one, three and six months after introduction of BETASERON therapy, and periodically thereafter in the absence of clinical symptoms.

Most Common Adverse Reactions. The most commonly reported adverse reactions (at least 5% more frequent on BETASERON than on placebo) in controlled clinical trials were injection site reaction (78% vs 26% for placebo), lymphopenia (86% vs 66%), flu-like symptoms (57% vs 37%), myalgia (23% vs 14%), leukopenia (13% vs 4%), neutropenia (13% vs 5%), increased liver enzymes (SGPT to greater than five times baseline value [12% vs 4%], SGOT to greater than five times baseline value [4% vs 1%]), headache (50% vs 43%), hypertonia (40% vs 33%), pain (42% vs 35%), rash (21% vs 15%), insomnia (21% vs 16%), abdominal pain (16% vs 11%), and asthenia (53% vs 48%).

Please see the Full Prescribing Information and BETACONNECT™ Instructions for Use for additional information, and talk to your healthcare provider.