Interferon Beta-1b Dosing

The recommended interferon beta-1b dosage is 0.25 mg injected every other day. Your healthcare provider will most likely start you at a low dose (0.0625 mg) and slowly work you up to the full dosage. For the medication to work properly, you must follow interferon beta-1b dosing guidelines carefully and administer the injection every other day.

 

Interferon Beta-1b Dosage: An Introduction

The dose of interferon beta-1b (Betaseron®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • How you respond to interferon beta-1b
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may currently be taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your interferon beta-1b dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Interferon Beta-1b Dosing for Multiple Sclerosis

The recommended interferon beta-1b dose for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) is 0.25 mg injected every other day. This is the same as 1 mL of interferon beta-1b, if you have mixed it correctly. It is recommended that you start at a low dose and slowly work up to the full dose, as follows:
 
  • Weeks one and two -- interferon beta-1b 0.0625 mg (0.25 mL once mixed)
  • Weeks three and four -- interferon beta-1b 0.125 mg (0.5 mL once mixed)
  • Weeks five and six -- interferon beta-1b 0.1875 mg (0.75 mL once mixed)
  • Week seven and beyond -- interferon beta-1b 0.25 mg (1 mL once mixed).
     
Your healthcare provider may recommend taking a non-prescription pain reliever, such as Tylenol® (acetaminophen) before, at the same time, or after each interferon beta-1b injection. This can help prevent some of the flu-like symptoms (such as a fever, chills, and muscle aches) common with interferon beta-1b.
 
(Interferon Beta-1b Dosing Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;