rebif liver problems

I've just started Rebif. I'm taking it because I need to try to halt the progression of the disease. I've been Dx'd for 23 years, and don't know whether it's remitting/progressive or secondary/progressive now. I do, however, love a glass or two of wine at night. I realize that ultimately Rebif has a problem with increasing the ensymes in your liver, but a little can't be that bad. Are there immediate bad side effects initially?

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.

I went off it, and went temporariy off ALL meds and supplements and no alcohol, as all of these things can affect liver anyzyme levels. After one week, liver function back to normal. 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.

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.

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.

This is a very interesting article about rebif - it doesn't mention heart problems, but does note that your thyroid and liver should be regularly tested. Thyroid out of whack can cause all sorts of symptoms - has yours been checked lately? The article is here - ms.about.com/od/treatments/a/rebif.

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.

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 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? Are you on any other meds that could be causing these things? Too bad the doc was so rude with you. But at least they took your blood and are looking for some answers.

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.

Just trying to get my head around starting drugs have known had MS since 06 listed as proable until next relapse although they were sure I had it two weeks ago half head went numb now have to decide which I want to take I am leaning towards rebif any would be great .

I was misdiagnosed with MS in 2007. I took the Rebif injections until the first part of 2011. I have heard a lot of talk that Rebif could possibly cause cancer. Now I had an abnormal mammogram. There is no cancer in any of my family. Is it possible that Rebif could cause breast cancer?

Anyway it just dawned on me tonight that my neuro used to check me every 6 months for hgb, liver function wbc but over the years stopped. Could my anemia be caused by rebif? If so does that necessitate stopping it?

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.

Less than 1 % had serious enough liver problems to stop the medication, while most patients on rebif will have transient elevation in liver enzymes.

It's not really at what level is serious, Now if your levels to start out with were 4x the high limit, then your doctor would have order additional test immediately. You have an elevated level and it keeps rising and not leveling off or dropping. If this continues your doctor will do a CT scan and/or an ultrasound of your liver. There are a number of conditions that cause elevation of ALT enzymes. As simply as eating fatty foods, to all types of hepatitis.

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..

Last year I got diagnosed with MS in the states , now I was supposed to get my treatment back home , however im having problems with my insurance here.. When I was there I heard that if I did some kind of couse in the country for at least 6 months I could get the treatment. I ll apreciate if anyone knows anything about this subject in Maryland or DC ..

Hi all, my daughter was diagnosed with MS at the age of 14 and she is now 17 and has started with Rebif about 9 months ago. The is on rebif 44 and has no real side effects from the injection any more. But she had to have her gallbladder removed 2 months ago. She has also picked up 15 kilos since she started on rebif even though she is eating healthy and is doing swimming and spinning...no matter what she does she cant drop the weight. Is there anyone else who is having this problem?

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.

Hello. I was on Copaxone for 2 years. While on it I experienced several flair ups, so it's time to try something else. We decided on Rebif. Can any Rebif users out there give me any input on your experiences or helpful hints. I'm pretty nervous about the side effects but I am going in with a positive attitude. Thanks for the help.

Rebif can cause flu-like symptoms - are you currently running a fever? How long have you felt sick? Of course, it's very important to talk to your regular doctor about any symptoms. It may not be the Rebif that's causing your vomiting and shortness of breath. A month or so ago, I had serious pain in my right leg. I thought it was an escalation of my spasticity - turned out it was a blood clot! I waited three weeks before seeking treatment.

Rebif liver problems

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