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Interferon-beta1b for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating autoimmune disorder that causes disability in young adults.


OBJECTIVE
To review the efficacy and safety of IFN-beta1b in the management of relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple scleroses and clinical isolated syndrome.


METHODS
A MEDLINE (1966-May 2007) search of clinical trials using the terms 'multiple sclerosis' and 'interferon' was performed. Manual bibliographic search was conducted. English-language articles were evaluated.


RESULTS
IFN-beta1b is more efficacious than placebo and at least as efficacious as IFN-beta1a or glatiramer for the management of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. IFN-beta1b also delayed the time to diagnosis of definite multiple sclerosis and reduced brain lesion burden in patients with clinical isolated syndrome. More long-term, large scale clinical data are warranted to ascertain its relative efficacy compared to other treatments.


CONCLUSION
IFN-beta1b is an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis. Common side effects are lymphopenia, injection site reactions, asthenia, flu-like symptoms and headache.