Get Informed: Rebif

7

Patient Comments about
Rebif

Active Ingredient(s)

Rebif

What does it do?

Rebif

This product is used in the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). It is believed to work by affecting the immune system, although its exact mechanism of action is unknown.

Last Text Update:
 2010-Mar-19 6:44 AM
Last Data Update:
 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM

Other Names

  • Rebif
  • Rebif 44

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
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Average Risk Rating
4: Elevated
Pregnancy Category:
C
Black Box Warning:
No

Facts & Figures

Date Approved
07 Mar 2002
Est US Patients*
148,800
Generic Available
No
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

1

< 21

23

21-39

67

40-59

8

60+

Age (Years)

* Estimated number of US people currently taking Rebif or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Rebif

There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Rebif during the past year.

Rebif Safety Report

4: Elevated

The iGuard risk rating for Rebif is orange. This rating takes into account the fact that Rebif needs care during administration, and may cause injection site reactions and liver problems. It means that Rebif should normally be used cautiously to minimize the risk of serious side effects.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

  • Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Rebif interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Rebif used for?

iGuard is currently tracking more than 990 patients that use Rebif (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.

Disease / Condition % Average Severity
Multiple Sclerosis 100% 5

How well does Rebif work?

iGuard regularly polls our more than 990 users taking Rebif (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.

Average Satisfaction Score

(out of 10)

Average Effectiveness Score

(out of 10)

56 58
62%
of patients are confident that the good things about Rebif outweigh the bad things.
14%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Rebif.

Common Side Effects of Rebif

iGuard regularly polls our more than 990 users taking Rebif (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.

56%

56% of patients experience side-effects on Rebif

14%

14% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Rebif


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 35% FLU-Like Symptoms
  • 15% Injection Site Reactions
  • 15% Fatigue
  • 10% Headache
  • 5% Nausea/Vomiting
  • 5% Irregular/Heavy Periods
  • 5% Insomnia
  • = 10%

Global Patient Feedback for Rebif ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first

Question/Comment:

I have been on Rebif for almost 5 years now. I get some minor side affects - site reaction, minor flu-like symptoms and headaches. I have not had one relapse since starting Rebif so I feel the side affects are worth some minor reactions. My doctor was very informative regarding my options, side affects and does my bloodwork every six months. I'm very thankful for it. Without it I'm not sure I'd be able to function this well.

35 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-10-29 23:30:56

Question/Comment:

I have been on ReBif for 4 years! I must be very lucky I have no side effects from the med. I do not take anything after my shot. I want to take as little meds as possible to keep my liver healthy. My dr. has my liver tested every 6 months. I'm still learning to deal with the MS side effects. I have started walking on going back to the gym. Life does not stop it just takes a different road than you thought! Go to a support group occasionall and you might feel a whole lot better about yourself!
52 year old female

53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-09-29 10:55:39

Question/Comment:

I do the ice packs and take the Tylenol but was told and tried it. Drink plenty of fluids when you do the injection it pushes it through your kidney faster and won't hurt a thing. It sure helps me. Best of luck to you. I am going on 5 years now and can feel the MS at differant times and am just thankful I can still walk ok and have learned to rrst when my body says so

53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2008-11-12 12:39:41

Question/Comment:

well i use to be on Rebif and my doctor took me off of it because i was have flu like symptoms up to having 104 fever and ended up going to the emergency room.. but the symptoms just kept on getting worse.. so she stopped me off of rebif and found out that it messed up my liver. by making my liver enzymes are really high and been really high. and now i cant have anything for my pain not even ibrofen .. so i hate rebif.. i just wish my doctor would of explain it to me better because if i would of knew it was going to do this to me i would never of done it.. but i am on compoxen now and just got done told today that i cant have nothing for pain or anything.. so i am really looking into it about talking to a lawyer about some of my issues. but if anymore has any related symptoms from rebif please comment me back.

20 year old female

21 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2008-09-29 18:13:34

Answer/Reply:

I do not believe it is the medication you should be upset with, but rather your physician who, from the way you explain it, did not give you a full understanding of rebif, how it works, its side effects, and its benefits. This medication is helping plenty of individuals with MS, including myself. I think you need to research your care providers just as much as you do your medications, and then make educated decisions for yourself and your health.

32 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-01-02 23:21:05

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