Zeposia vs. Rebif

Zeposia (ozanimod) and Rebif (interferon beta-1a) are used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Zeposia and Rebif belong to different drug classes. Zeposia is a sphingosine 1- phosphate receptor modulator and Rebif is made from human proteins.

Side effects of Zeposia and Rebif that are similar include dizziness and dizziness on standing (orthostatic hypotension).

Side effects of Zeposia that are different from Rebif include upper respiratory infection, liver transaminase elevation, urinary tract infection (UTI), back pain, high blood pressure (hypertension), and upper abdominal pain.

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

Zeposia may interact with anti-neoplastic medications, immune-modulating drugs, immunosuppressive therapies, anti-arrhythmics, live attenuated vaccines, strong CYP2C8 inhibitors (e.g., gemfibrozil), BCRP inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine, eltrombopag), strong CYP2C8 inducers (e.g., rifampin), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and drugs or over-the-counter medications that can increase norepinephrine or serotonin [e.g., opioids, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclics, tyramine].

Rebif may interact with other drugs.

Side effects of Zeposia include:

Common side effects of Zeposia include:

• upper respiratory infection,
• liver transaminase elevation,
• dizziness on standing (orthostatic hypotension),
• urinary tract infection (UTI),
• back pain,
• high blood pressure (hypertension), and
• upper abdominal pain

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

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.

Zeposia (ozanimod) is a sphingosine 1- phosphate receptor modulator used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing- remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.

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.

Zeposia may interact with:

• anti-neoplastic medications,
• immune-modulating drugs,
• immunosuppressive therapies,
• anti-arrhythmics,
• live attenuated vaccines,
• strong CYP2C8 inhibitors (e.g., gemfibrozil),
• BCRP inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine, eltrombopag),
• strong CYP2C8 inducers (e.g., rifampin),
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and
• drugs or over-the-counter medications that can increase norepinephrine or serotonin [e.g., opioids, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclics, tyramine]

Rebif may interact with other 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.

The recommended maintenance dosage of Zeposia is 0.92 mg orally once daily.

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.