Even though
Betaseron is made using bacteria, it is almost exactly the same as human interferon. Interferons are naturally occurring proteins or glycoproteins (proteins attached to carbohydrates). In humans, interferons are produced by cells in response to certain situations (such as viral infections) and often play a key role in the immune system.
At this time, it is not fully understood how Betaseron works to treat
MS. Although the exact causes of MS are not known, it is often considered to be an
autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the protective coating around nerve fibers. It is thought that Betaseron may work by limiting this immune system response, decreasing the damage to the nerves.
Because Betaseron is a protein, it would be broken down and destroyed by the
digestive system if taken by mouth. For this reason, Betaseron must be injected to bypass the digestive tract.
Betaseron Use in Children and Teens
Betaseron is not approved for individuals under 18 years old. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using Betaseron in children or teens.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Betaseron for something other than treating relapsing MS. This is called an "
off-label" use. At this time, using Betaseron to treat other types of MS is considered an off-label Betaseron use.
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