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This medication comes with essential safety information that should be carefully reviewed. If you have any concerns, please consult your healthcare provider.

• Liver Problems: Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) could potentially lead to severe liver issues, including liver failure. Regular blood tests are recommended to monitor liver function. Contact a healthcare professional immediately if you experience symptoms such as abdominal swelling, yellowing of the skin or eyes, changes in stool color, coughing or vomiting blood, confusion, slurred speech, mood changes, or personality shifts. Those with a history of liver problems, taking liver-affecting medications, or consuming alcohol are at increased risk.

• Mental Health Concerns: This medication may cause depression or suicidal thoughts. It's important to alert your provider if you or others notice any mood or behavioral changes, or if you have thoughts of self-harm. In severe cases, discontinuation of the medication may be necessary.

• Heart Failure: Individuals with pre-existing heart failure might experience a worsening of symptoms. Inform your healthcare provider if you have heart failure or develop symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling in the extremities, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, or weakness.

• Injection Site Reactions: Betaseron can cause skin necrosis at the injection site, potentially developing into larger lesions. Be vigilant for signs like broken skin, discoloration, swelling, or fluid leakage. Severe cases might require stopping the medication and seeking treatment.

• Low White Blood Cell Count: The medication may lower white blood cell counts, increasing infection risk. If you experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, chills, cough, or difficulty breathing, contact your provider immediately.

• Blood Clotting Issues: Rarely, Betaseron may cause thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), forming tiny blood clots in small blood vessels. Symptoms include bruising, pin-point skin dots, pale or yellowed skin, fever, fatigue, and confusion. Immediate medical attention is required if these occur.

• Drug-Induced Lupus: This condition, where the immune system attacks the body, can be triggered by Betaseron. Symptoms include joint or muscle pain, rash, pelvic pain, frequent or painful urination, vomiting, and cold extremities. Notify your healthcare provider if these symptoms develop.

• Contraindications: Betaseron should not be used by individuals unable to receive human albumin, as this could pose serious health risks. Discuss any contraindications with your healthcare provider before starting the medication.

When taking this medication, you might experience some common side effects that are generally mild. These include reaction at the injection site such as pain, swelling, or redness, as well as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea. Additionally, many individuals report flu-like symptoms such as headache, tiredness, fever, chills, and muscle aches, particularly when starting the treatment. These symptoms usually subside after about one day post-injection and tend to improve with continued use. You can help manage these side effects by taking the medication at bedtime and using fever reducers or pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen beforehand.

However, there are some side effects that, while less common, may be more severe and warrant immediate attention. These include mental or mood changes like depression or thoughts of suicide, severe allergic reactions characterized by rash, swelling, or trouble breathing, and serious infections indicated by a persistent sore throat, fever, or cough. You should also be alert to signs of liver problems such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or persistent nausea, as well as symptoms of heart failure like shortness of breath or swelling in the legs.

Rare but very serious side effects include seizures, severe allergic reactions, and blue-black discoloration at the injection site, which may indicate injection site necrosis. This medication can also impact your blood cell counts, potentially leading to low blood counts, making you more susceptible to infections. If any of these serious side effects occur, seek urgent medical care. While these risks exist, many individuals tolerate the medication well without experiencing severe adverse effects.