Rebif vs. Tecfidera

• Are Rebif and Tecfidera the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Rebif?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Tecfidera?
• What Is Rebif?
• What Is Tecfidera?
• What Drugs Interact with Rebif?
• What Drugs Interact with Tecfidera?
• How Should Rebif Be Taken?
• How Should Tecfidera Be Taken?

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) Injection and Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) are used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS).

Rebif and Tecfidera belong to different drug classes. Rebif is made from human proteins and Tecfidera is a fumaric acid ester.

Side effects of Rebif that are different from Tecfidera include injection site reactions (pain, swelling, or redness) and flu-like symptoms (such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, fever, chills, stomach pain, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches).

Side effects of Tecfidera that are different from Rebif include flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash, itching, redness, and indigestion.

Rebif may interact with alcohol, acetaminophen, aspirin, gout or arthritis medication (including gold injections), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, antifungal medicines, sulfa drugs, tuberculosis medicines, antiviral or HIV/AIDS medications, medicines to treat mental illness, seizure medications, birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, anabolic steroids, cancer medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, and heart or blood pressure medications.

Tecfidera may interact with other drugs.

Common side effects of Rebif include pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site. Flu-like symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, fever, chills, stomach pain, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches may occur when you first start Rebif. These symptoms usually improve or go away after a few months of continued use of Rebif. Some patients using interferon medications such as Rebif become depressed or have suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor immediately if this occurs. Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Rebif including:

• mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, rare thoughts of suicide),
• vision changes,
• gradual change in weight,
• intolerance to cold or heat,
• increased urination,
• pus or change in skin color at the injection site,
• signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat, cough),
• easy bruising or bleeding,
• fast or irregular heartbeat,
• sudden increase in weight,
• swelling hands/legs/feet,
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• yellowing eyes or skin, or
• dark urine.

Common side effects of Tecfidera include:

• flushing,
• abdominal pain,
• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• rash,
• itching,
• redness, and
• indigestion.

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) Injection is made from human proteins and is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Rebif will not cure MS; it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms. Common side effects of Rebif include pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site. Flu-like symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, fever, chills, stomach pain, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches may occur when you first start Rebif. These symptoms usually improve or go away after a few months of continued use of Rebif. Some patients using interferon medications such as Rebif become depressed or have suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor immediately if this occurs.

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) is a fumaric acid ester used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Rebif may interact with oher drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you take. Talk to your doctor about how to drink alcohol safely while using this medication. Rebif should not be used during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or think you might become pregnant during treatment. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Tecfidera may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to be become pregnant before using Tecfidera; it is unknown how it would affect a fetus. There is a pregnancy registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to Tecfidera during pregnancy and you may be encouraged to enroll. It is unknown if Tecfidera passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The recommended dosage of Rebif is 22 mcg to 44 mcg injected subcutaneously three times per week. Rebif is intended for use under the supervision of a physician. Patients may self-inject only after proper training.

The starting dose of Tecfidera is 120 mg twice daily for seven days by mouth. After seven days, maintenance doses of Tecfidera are 240 mg taken twice daily by mouth.