rebif and liver problems

Restarted Rebif and only Rebif, stayed off the other meds, alcohol, etc, and liver enzymes shot up again after only a weeek or two. So I stopped and immediately started Copaxone. This was nearly 5 years ago. I've had no side effects other than the inital site reactions and one minor IPIR episode. On Copaxone my attacks went from 4 in a little over a year to 1 every 2-3 years on average.

Ive not had liver problems on Rebif but did have low WBC counts once - took a break from it and then all returned to normal after re-starting.

Hi beeama! I don't know what the instances of anemia and interferons are, but if you've not taken any supplements, and then go off the rebif for a week or two, then re-run the labs and they check out good you very well could be affected. It is the docs responsibility to order the labs, but have found too I have to remember to ask for the script for labs. Since it was 6 months ago - they should be run again for good measure.

hi db, I was diagnosed in 2003 and was on rebif since jan 2004. I also had problems with elevated liver function. They reduced me to a half dose and then bumped me back up to a full dose. I again had problems with elevated liver function. My neuro then decided to keep me on a 1/2 dose (my specialist felt that a 1/2 dose of rebif was roughly equivalent to a full dose of copaxone), which I have been on since late 2004.

I have read about Rebif and and its side effects and starting to get really nervous. Any comments, pro or cons?

Given you say you have had liver issues in the past, you may not be a good candidate for the interferons. As others here have stated, fortunately Copaxone is an alternative that does not pose a risk to elevating your liver enzymes. Ensure your neurologist is aware you have had liver and thyroid issues in the past so together you can make a fully informed decision. Another consideration with the interferons is a history of depression.

I have been on both Rebif and Copaxone. I was on Rebif for about 5 years, and I have been on Copaxone for two. I didn't have any problems with the Rebif except for the high liver functions. That is why I am on Copaxone. I think there is no difference in the injection pain. They both were very minimal. My worst pain was in my arms for some reason. The daily injections aren't bad, especially since you don't get sick.

Rebif - and the other interferons can cause liver problems and depression. They are also known to cause flu-like symptoms over many many months until your body adjusts. They are also known to work. Copaxone has the disadvantage of being a daily injection instead of every few days. There is a problem with it stinging and injection site reactions of lipoatrophy. You might want to do some reading on the available options - now there are 11 MS drugs and not all of them are injections.

Hi there, Sorry for your diagnosis. The side affects mentioned in the literature can and do happen. I'm a Rebif user for 3 years now and do very well. My site reactions are just a warm (to touch) pink about the size of a silver dollar. I inject straight up without the autoinjector but I many people use the auto and it works very well for them. Like all meds it's important to weigh out the benefits and risks.

s attractive being a pill, but still having to monitor and test for liver damage with rebif just the same - if the stats are not reducing relapse rate better than rebif why switch. The hair thinning is a bit of a vanity that I might consider compromising if there were a benefit, but ... Well, I'm just not understanding the point. Maybe there are some who are allergic to the injections that could benefit from the pill instead?

I recall my neuro saying it took just a few days. Rebif if was my first DMD and it elevated my liver enzymes. I started and stopped it twice, and both times I stopped my shots, my liver enzymes returned to normal within a few days. I ceased treatment and immediately started Copaxone, no waiting period for the purpose of starting a different DMD.

I have been on rebif for 9 months -and have not had any of the problems you describe, and in my reading up on rebif, I think the symptoms you describe are not usual side affects, but we're all different! I assume your neuro has been checking your blood for liver problems since you started rebif. I wonder if it would be worth discussing the possibility (if your blood work all comes back OK) of going off the rebif and trying another MS drug to see if that helped with all your problems?

I've only been on Rebif a short time and as yet, have had no problems like what you describe. How long have you been on Rebif?

So for all these reasons I think I should kiss Rebif goodbye now, and give Copaxone a try, and hope I don’t have the problems that Ess and Gollie have experienced. It is frustrating that I live so far from my MS clinic. I am considering emailing my neuro tomorrow stating my concerns and requesting he consider Copaxone now rather than waiting it out with Rebif. My question to you is…..if you were in my shoes, what do you think you would do? I would be grateful for your insight on this.

One last thing , please post any questions in small paragraphs ,like I have tried to do (LOL) because some of our members have vision problems and can not read large blocks of typing. Welcome to the site and remember, no question is off limits unless it is offensive in nature. We 've talked about everything from our favorite flavor of ice cream to urinary incontinence products.

s good about Rebif (and the other interferons) is that risks will be monitored. i.e., liver enzymes, thyroid and blood counts. A simple blood draw before you start and then 3 months in usually does the trick. For precaution, your neuro may run them yearly after that if all seems clear. I'm on Rebif, and I'd recommend it for anyone suffering with MS. I rarely relapse and only had to pause meds once for low wbc. I've been good since then and the side affects minimize over time.

I think I can handle flu-like symptoms, but I what about possible liver damage (I only have one liver!), heart problems, skin damage, drop in white blood cells (I'm pretty sure that I need those!), throat constriction, etc. It seems like a majority of people are on Copaxone, but I hate the idea of DAILY injections. Some of the meds are only once a week or three-times a day which sounds more manageable. Is anyone on here on Gilenya? Any feed back that you could share?

I was in the something like 3% of patients whom this will happen to. I have no history of liver problems and up to that point had used very little medication my entire life, not much more than the occasional Advil. Been on Copaxone a little over a year now and doing fine with it. Don't mind the daily injections, it's just part of my bedtime routine. Initially the injections did hurt, more so than Rebif which didn't sting at all.

I know if you're on Rebif they can try to readjust your depression meds. If that doesn't work, they can try keeping you on the 22mcg instead of the 44mcg because there are less side effects at the lower dose. The only bad thing is you're on getting the full dose, so it might not be as effective. Right now I am not on anything. The reason being is I'm having major surgery at the end of the month. Once I'm 100% healed I will go on something. What, I don't know.

I was also told I have hyper reflexes. Forgot abut that one. So many symptoms to try to keep track of. What did your neuro say about your urinary and bowel issues? Does he think these are related to your other symptoms?

I was on rebif.. and it felt like acid going into my body.. so bad things happened to me on it.. But I'm sure everyone is different..I am on betaseron now .. and I love it.. I haven't had a flare up in over a year!!!... so check into that one too!!..healursoul..

Let us know how you make out and what if anything you think Rebif may have to do with this. I start Rebif next week and am keeping fingers crossed that it doesn't disagree with me. Another thought --- have you tried calling the Rebif patient support program to tell them about the hives? Perhaps they have heard from other patients with the same problem? Good luck to you.

Rebif and liver problems

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