%0 Journal Article
%T Patients transitioning from non
%A Barry Hendin
%A Bj£¿rn Sperling
%A Brian Werneburg
%A DeRen Huang
%A Fiorenza Gaudenzi
%A Monica Mann
%A Qunming Dong
%A Robert T Naismith
%A Sibyl Wray
%J Multiple Sclerosis Journal
%@ 2055-2173
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/2055217318822148
%X Flu-like symptoms are common adverse events associated with interferon beta relapsing multiple sclerosis therapies. To evaluate the incidence and severity of flu-like symptoms after transitioning from non-pegylated interferons to peginterferon beta-1a and assess flu-like symptom mitigation using naproxen. ALLOW was a phase 3b open-label study in relapsing multiple sclerosis patients. Patients had received non-pegylated interferon for 4 or more months immediately before beginning a 4-week screening period. At baseline, patients switched to peginterferon beta-1a and were randomly assigned (1:1) to continue their current flu-like symptoms management regimen or start twice-daily naproxen 500£¿mg for 8 weeks. Patients then switched to their preferred regimen and were followed for 48 weeks in total. Of 201 patients, 89.6% did not experience new/worsening flu-like symptoms during their first 8 weeks on peginterferon beta-1a. Flu-like symptom severity remained low in current-regimen and naproxen patients, with no significant between-group differences. Median flu-like symptom duration per injection was 3.2 hours longer with peginterferon beta-1a versus prior interferon, but the 4-week cumulative duration was reduced 49¨C78%. No new safety signals were identified. Most patients who switched from non-pegylated interferon to peginterferon beta-1a did not experience new/worsening flu-like symptoms. Flu-like symptom duration per injection increased, but the cumulative duration significantly decreased. These data may inform flu-like symptom management guidance
%K Beta-interferon
%K pegylated
%K peginterferon beta-1a
%K multiple sclerosis
%K relapsing multiple sclerosis
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2055217318822148