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Informs - Bayer Beyond for Patients |
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Beyond Results for MS Patients
New data from the BEYOND (Betaseron Efficacy Yielding Outcomes of a New Dose) study shows that the currently approved Betaseron 250 mcg (interferon beta-1b) remains the optimal Betaseron dose for new Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, who have never been on an MS therapy. As someone currently taking Betaseron, this is good news.
As part of Bayer's ongoing commitment to improving MS treatment, the BEYOND study was designed to look at whether increasing the dose of Betaseron to 500 mcg might result in fewer relapses for previously untreated MS patients. The study compared the effectiveness and tolerability of Betaseron 500 mcg ("double-dose") with Betaseron 250 mcg, and Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate), a non-interferon MS therapy.
In the study, all three treatment groups (Betaseron 250 mcg, Betaseron 500 mcg, Copaxone ®) showed a similar reduced risk for relapses in new MS patients. The study was not designed to look at the effect of these treatments in patients who were already on an MS therapy or failed an MS therapy. The study did confirm that Betaseron 250 is highly effective and reduces the risk of relapses – this validates Betaseron 250 mcg as the optimal dose for new MS patients starting on MS therapy.
The study also reinforced the excellent safety and tolerability of Betaseron. In the BEYOND study, Betaseron 250 mcg had the lowest patient drop-out rate of any treatment group: 13% of Betaseron 250 mcg patients dropped out of the study compared to 17% for Copaxone®. More data will be evaluated in the months to come.
As someone on Betaseron, you should be confident that you are managing your MS with a highly effective, well-tolerated and safe treatment. You should also know how committed we remain to you. This is why we have the B.E.T.A.SM* Nurse program, brought to you by MS PathwaysSM, the support program rated best by people with MS†. Our dedicated MS specialized B.E.T.A. Nurses are there for you any time, day or night. As your partner in helping to manage your MS, we are looking forward to serving you for many years to come.
If you have any questions about your Betaseron treatment or the study, be sure to talk with your healthcare professional or call a B.E.T.A. Nurse at 1-800-788-1467.
Sincerely,
Your BETASERON Team
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
* BETASERON Education, Training & Assistance.
† In an independent study, MS Pathways was rated significantly higher on how valuable it is to people living with MS compared with other MS support programs.
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