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Overview: Rebif is injected under the skin to treat certain forms of multiple sclerosis. Common side effects include flu-like symptoms, and pain, itching, swelling, or redness near where the needle went in. Serious side effects are less common, but may include liver, skin, blood vessel, or mental health problems. Let your health care provider know right away if you have new or worsening depression, anxiety, or thoughts of suicide.

Uses

What is Rebif used for?

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) is commonly used to treat certain forms of multiple sclerosis, such as clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease.

Rebif may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Rebif work (mechanism of action)?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition where the immune system attacks the central nervous system (CNS), causing inflammation, damage to the protective covering of nerves, and loss of nerve function. Rebif is similar to a natural protein called interferon beta. It seems to help people with MS by reducing inflammation in your body by changing the balance of cytokines (chemical messengers that guide cell growth and activity). 

How is Rebif supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Rebif

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 8.8 mcg/0.2 mL, 22 mcg/0.5 mL, 44 mcg/0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe
  • 8.8 mcg/0.2 mL, 22 mcg/0.5 mL, 44 mcg/0.5 mL single-dose autoinjector

How should I store Rebif?

Rebif should be stored in the refrigerator, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Do not freeze. If needed, Rebif may be stored at room temperature, up to 77 F (25 C), away from heat and light, for shorter periods of time. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure how to store your Rebif product.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Rebif?

The most common side effects of Rebif are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Flu-like symptoms such as a fever, chills, muscle pain, and feeling unusually weak or tired
  • Reactions where the needle went in (see below)
  • Stomach pain
  • Changes in liver function tests
  • Depression (see below)
  • Blood disorders (see below) 

There may be other side effects of Rebif that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Rebif?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Rebif are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Rebif may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Rebif and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, or Other Mental Health Conditions. Rebif may cause mood or behavior problems in a small number of people. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • New or increased feelings of crankiness, nervousness, anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior
  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
  • Suicide attempt
  • Acting aggressive, angry, or violent
  • Seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, also called hallucinations

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using Rebif. This can be serious and can lead to liver failure. The risk may be higher if you take certain medicines. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness or sleepiness
  • Confusion
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Injection Site Reactions. Rebif commonly causes pain, itching, swelling, or redness near where the needle went in. It may also rarely cause severe damage to the skin and tissue near the injection site. You should not inject Rebif into skin that is red, bruised, infected, scabbed, broken, painful, or has lumps or bumps. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Swelling, itching, redness, or pain where the needle went in
  • Fluid draining from the injection site
  • Breaks in your skin
  • Discolored skin (blue/black)

Blood Disorders. Rebif can cause blood disorders, such as low red blood cell levels (anemia), low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), and low white blood cell levels (leukopenia). Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infections
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Small Blood Vessel Injury. Rebif can lead to a serious problem with blood clotting, called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). TTP is when blood clots form in some parts of your bloodstream, which reduces platelets in the rest of the blood (thrombocytopenia). If the blood vessel damage happens in your kidneys, it can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This can lead to kidney failure. These conditions need to be treated right away in the hospital, or they can lead to death. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms without another explanation.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin, or your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellowish (also called jaundice)
  • Changes in your vision
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Headache, confusion, or slurred speech
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Purplish spots (purpura) on your skin or in your mouth due to bleeding under the skin
  • A reduced need to pee, a low amount of pee, or pee that is pink or has blood in it
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Rebif may cause pulmonary arterial hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. This can happen soon after or even years after you start using Rebif. Call your health care provider right away if you have shortness of breath or tiredness that is new or getting worse.

Seizures. Some people who have used Rebif have reported having seizures, even if they never had seizures before. There are many types of seizures, and some of them are not easy to recognize. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Rebif?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Rebif.

  • Human albumin (some products)
  • Interferon beta-1a
  • Rebif
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Rebif.

What should I know about Rebif before using it?

Do not use Rebif unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed. Do not change your dose or schedule unless your health care provider says to do so. This medicine is injected under the skin. Read and follow the “Instructions for Use” that come with your medicine. Make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly prepare and use Rebif. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

Do not share Rebif with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Rebif out of the reach of children. When this medicine is kept in a refrigerator, take special care to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Do not inject Rebif into skin that is red, bruised, infected, scabbed, broken, painful, or has lumps or bumps. Use a different injection site each time you inject this medicine. Two hours after injecting this medicine, check your injection site for swelling, redness, or tenderness. Call your health care provider if you have a skin reaction that does not clear up in a few days. 

Each dose of Rebif should only be used one time. You will use a new syringe or autoinjector pen for each dose. Throw away any unused medicine after injecting your dose. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or autoinjectors. Throw them away in a sharps container.

Rebif may cause flu-like symptoms such as a fever, chills, muscle pain, and feeling unusually weak or tired. If you have these side effects, your health care provider may recommend an over-the-counter pain or fever medicine on the days you inject Rebif.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Rebif?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Rebif is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Blood clots or bleeding problems
  • Low blood cell counts
  • Thyroid problems
  • Depression, thoughts of suicide or death, suicide attempts, or other mental health conditions
  • Liver problems
  • Seizures
  • Pulmonary arterial hypertension

Vaccines. Talk with your health care provider about any vaccines that you may need. You may not be able to receive certain vaccines right before or while using Rebif. Tell your health care provider about any vaccines you have recently received or have scheduled.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Rebif could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Rebif passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Rebif while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Rebif?

For more information about Rebif, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.rebif.com or call them at 877-447-3243.

Interactions

Does Rebif interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Rebif and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Rebif. The risk of liver problems may be increased if you drink alcohol while using Rebif.

Does Rebif interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Rebif?

If you or someone else has used too much Rebif, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Rebif?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not use double or extra doses. If you miss a dose and are not sure what to do, ask your health care provider.

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