Betaseron (Interferon beta-1b) Drug Information: Overdosage and Contraindications

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May 25, 2012

Betaseron

Hepatitis B »

What is hepatitis?

The term 'hepatitis' simply means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis may be caused by a virus or a toxin such as alcohol. Other viruses that can cause injury to liver cells include the hepatitis A and hepatitis C viruses. These viruses are not related to each other or to hepatitis B virus and differ in their structure, the ways they are spread among individuals, the severity of symptoms they can cause, the way they are treated, and the outcome of the infection.

What is the scope of the problem?

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is estimated that 350 million individuals worldwide are infected with the virus, which causes 620,000 deaths worldwide each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 46,000 new cases of hepatitis B occurred in the United States in 2006.

In the United States, rates of new infection were highest ...

Read the Hepatitis B article »

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OVERDOSE

Safety of doses higher than 0.25 mg every other day has not been adequately evaluated. The maximum amount of Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) that can be safely administered has not been determined.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to natural or recombinant interferon beta, Albumin (Human), USP, or any other component of the formulation.

Last reviewed on RxList: 6/26/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.