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Extavia Approved for Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on 08/17/2009, 13:36
By -- Scott Roberts

A type of interferon

MONDAY, Aug. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Extavia (interferon beta-1b) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat multiple sclerosis, drug maker Novartis said Monday.

The drug was approved for people in whom the autoimmune disease has just relapsed, or for those in whom MS is newly diagnosed, the company said in a news release.

MS affects about 400,000 people in the United States, Novartis said, of whom about 80 percent have the relapsing-remitting form. In people with MS, the body's immune system attacks the protective tissue surrounding nerve fibers that transmit electric signals to the brain. Symptoms may include problems with muscle control, vision, balance, sensation and mental function.

Interferon beta 1-b has been used as a standard treatment for MS for more than 16 years, Novartis said.

Common adverse reactions among Extavia users include injection site reactions, flu-like symptoms, headache and pain. The medication should be used with caution in people with depression, the drug maker said.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about multiple sclerosis.

More news in Multiple Sclerosis...

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Bighealthtree.com Does Not Provide Medical Advice. This site, including the above information, is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or health advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health or medical professional before starting any new treatment, changing existing treatment, or altering your current exercise and/or diet program. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 (or the emergency services in your area) or your doctor immediately.

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