adverse reactions

Last reviewed 01/2018

Therapy with interferon beta is generally well tolerated. Side effects include:

  • abnormal liver function tests
  • injection site pain
  • fatigue
  • allergic reaction
  • cardiac arrhythmia
  • allergic reaction
  • headache
  • nausea
  • 'flu-like syndrome

There is also a reported increase in depression and suicidal ideation in patients receiving high dose interferon beta (1).

Reference:

  • Goodkin DE (1994). Interferon beta-1b. Lancet, 344, 1057-60.