Health Canada approves Betaseron for treatment
of first clinical event suggestive of MS
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Medical Update Memo
August 10, 2006
Summary
Health Canada has approved Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b)
for use in treating people who have experienced an event known
as a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) that is suggestive
of multiple sclerosis. This is a label extension for Betaseron
since it is already available for treating relapsing-remitting
MS and secondary-progressive MS.
Details
Health Canada has approved Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b)
for use in treating people who have had a single clinical demyelinating
event suggestive of MS and MRI findings that show lesions in
the brain, also suggestive of MS. The Health Canada approval
is a label extension for Betaseron and was based on results
from the BENEFIT study which compared treatment with Betaseron
to placebo in people who had a single clinically isolated syndrome
(CIS). Participants in the Betaseron arm of the study had a
50 percent reduced risk in developing clinically definite MS
compared to the placebo group at the end of two years.
Betaseron is now the second beta interferon in Canada to be
approved to treat people who are suspected of having MS. In
2003, Health Canada approved Avonex® (interferon beta-1a)
for use in treating CIS. The recommended dose of Betaseron
is 250 mcg every other day subcutaneously (under the skin).
The recommended dose of Avonex is 30 mcg once per week intramuscularly
(into the muscle). The approval is a label extension for Betaseron.
It is already available for treating relapsing-remitting MS
and secondary-progressive MS.
Treating MS as early as possible is widely recommended by
MS neurologists. The MS Society of Canada is pleased there
is another therapy available for people who are suspected of
having multiple sclerosis.
ASK MS Information System Code:
1.4.1.60.1.i
National Research Department
National Marketing and Communications Department
Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent,
voluntary health agency and does not approve, endorse or
recommend any specific product or therapy but provides
information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.
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