Alleviating flu-like symptoms with dose titration and analgesics in MS patients on intramuscular interferon beta‑1a therapy: a pilot study

ABSTRACTObjective: To determine the effectiveness of dose titration and choice of analgesic in reducing flu-like side effects of intramuscular interferon beta‑1a (IM IFNβ‑1a).Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive weekly IM IFNβ‑1a, with or without dose titration, plus acetaminophen or ibuprofen. After 27 patients had been randomized, the original formulation of IM IFNβ‑1a became unavailable and the remaining patients used a pre-packaged liquid formulation, necessitating a change in protocol from initially quarter-dose to half-dose titration. Patients scored presence and intensity of muscle aches, chills, and weakness, and measured body temperature; information was recorded in diaries.Results: Forty-seven patients were enrolled; 36 completed the study. Fifteen patients received full-dose therapy plus acetaminophen, eight patients received quarter-dose titration and acetaminophen, 10 patients received quarter-dose titration and ibuprofen, eight patients received half-dose titration and acetami...