Plegridy vs. Betaseron, Extavia

Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) Autoinjector and Betaseron and Extavia (interferon beta-1b) are forms of interferon beta-1a used to treat patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

Side effects of Plegridy and Betaseron and Extavia that are similar include injection site reactions (redness, itching, pain, swelling, warmth, rash, bruising), weakness, and nausea.

Side effects of Plegridy that are different from Betaseron and Extavia include flu-like illness, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills, and vomiting.

Side effects of Betaseron and Extavia that are different from Plegridy include abdominal or stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, swelling in your hands or feet, skin rash, and irregular menstrual periods.

Both Plegridy and Betaseron and Extavia may interact with other drugs.

Common side effects of Plegridy include:

• injection site reactions (redness, itching, pain, swelling, warmth, rash, bruising),
• flu-like illness,
• fever,
• headache,
• muscle or joint pain,
• chills,
• weakness,
• nausea, and
• vomiting

Common side effects of Extavia include:

• headache,
• muscle pain or weakness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• stomach or abdominal pain,
• swelling in your hands or feet,
• skin rash,
• hives,
• itching,
• irregular menstrual periods,
• flu-like symptoms (chills, fever, general feeling of being unwell),
• increased sweating,
• decreased white blood cell count,
• injection site reactions (bruising, swelling, redness, pain, warm feeling, or leaking of fluid),
• stuffy nose, or
• irregular heartbeat

Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) Autoinjector is an interferon beta-1a used to treat patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

Betaseron, Extavia is made from human proteins and is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Extavia will not cure MS, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Plegridy should be used only if prescribed. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Betaseron, Extavia may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

The recommended dosage of Plegridy is 125 micrograms injected subcutaneously every 14 days.

The recommended dose of Betaseron, Extavia is 0.25 mg injected subcutaneously every other day.