| Clinically isolated syndrome
Betaseron vs Tecfidera
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for clinically isolated syndrome.Deep comparison between: Betaseron vs Tecfidera with Prescriber.AI
AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.Safety signalsTecfidera has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Betaseron based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Tecfidera but not Betaseron, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Betaseron
Tecfidera
At A Glance
SC injection
Every other day
Type I interferon
Oral
Twice daily
Nrf2 pathway activator
Indications
- Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
- Clinically isolated syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis, Secondary Progressive
- Clinically isolated syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
- Multiple Sclerosis, Secondary Progressive
Dosing
Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting, Clinically isolated syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Secondary Progressive Start at 0.0625 mg (0.25 mL) SC every other day, titrating over six weeks to the recommended dose of 0.25 mg (1 mL) SC every other day.
Clinically isolated syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting, Multiple Sclerosis, Secondary Progressive Starting dose 120 mg twice a day orally for 7 days; maintenance dose 240 mg twice a day orally.
Contraindications
- History of hypersensitivity to natural or recombinant interferon beta, Albumin (Human), or any other component of the formulation
- Known hypersensitivity to dimethyl fumarate or any excipient of TECFIDERA
Adverse Reactions
Most common (>=5% difference from placebo) Injection site reaction, lymphopenia, flu-like symptoms, myalgia, leukopenia, neutropenia, increased liver enzymes, headache, hypertonia, pain, rash, insomnia, abdominal pain, asthenia
Serious Hepatic injury, anaphylaxis and allergic reactions, depression and suicide, congestive heart failure, injection site necrosis, leukopenia, thrombotic microangiopathy, pulmonary arterial hypertension, seizures, drug-induced lupus erythematosus
Postmarketing Anemia, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis, bronchospasm, pulmonary arterial hypertension, fatal capillary leak syndrome
Most common (>=10%) Flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea
Serious Anaphylaxis, angioedema, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, herpes zoster and other serious opportunistic infections, lymphopenia, liver injury
Postmarketing Acute pancreatitis, gastrointestinal perforation, ulceration, obstruction, and hemorrhage, liver function abnormalities, herpes zoster infection, rhinorrhea, alopecia
Pharmacology
Interferon beta-1b is a type I interferon that binds to specific receptors on human cell membranes, inducing immunomodulatory effects including enhancement of suppressor T cell activity, reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine production, down-regulation of antigen presentation, and inhibition of lymphocyte trafficking into the central nervous system; its specific mechanism of action in multiple sclerosis is unknown.
Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and its active metabolite monomethyl fumarate (MMF) activate the Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway involved in the cellular response to oxidative stress; the mechanism by which DMF exerts its therapeutic effect in multiple sclerosis is unknown.
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Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Betaseron
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (0/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
Tecfidera
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (10/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Betaseron
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (6/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (4/8)
Tecfidera
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (0/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (1/8)
Humana
Betaseron
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (1/3) · Step Therapy (0/3) · Qty limit (1/3)
Tecfidera
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
Cost estimate not availableAccessia Health: Multiple Sclerosis - Private Insurance: Waitlist
Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
Cost estimate not availableAccessia Health: Multiple Sclerosis - Private Insurance: Waitlist
Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
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Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.