72/100 · Elevated
Manufactured by Biogen Inc.
Multiple Sclerosis Treatment: Common Adverse Events and Safety Concerns
322,666 FDA adverse event reports analyzed
Last updated: 2026-05-12
INTERFERON BETA 1A is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Biogen Inc.. Based on analysis of 322,666 FDA adverse event reports, INTERFERON BETA 1A has a safety score of 72 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for INTERFERON BETA 1A include MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RELAPSE, INFLUENZA LIKE ILLNESS, FATIGUE, FALL, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for INTERFERON BETA 1A.
Interferon Beta-1a has a safety concern score of 72 out of 100, placing it in the elevated concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 322,666 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Biogen Inc..
The most commonly reported adverse events include Multiple Sclerosis Relapse, Influenza Like Illness, Fatigue. Of classified reports, 53.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Fatigue and falls are among the most common adverse events reported.
Serious adverse events, such as death and myocardial infarction, are concerning. Infections, including pneumonia and urinary tract infections, are frequently reported. Drug ineffectiveness and multiple sclerosis relapse are significant issues. Psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety are also commonly reported.
Patients taking Interferon Beta-1a should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Interferon beta-1a can interact with other drugs, and patients should be monitored for potential drug interactions. Warnings include the risk of serious adverse events such as death and myocardial infarction. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.
Interferon Beta-1a received a safety concern score of 72/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 53.1% serious event ratio across 191,325 classified reports. The score accounts for 322,666 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This elevated score indicates a notable proportion of serious adverse events and warrants careful monitoring.
Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 150,178, Male: 38,044, Unknown: 467. The most frequently reported age groups are age 52 (3,528 reports), age 53 (3,453 reports), age 50 (3,393 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.
Out of 191,325 classified reports for INTERFERON BETA 1A:
The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.
Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.
Interferon beta-1a can interact with other drugs, and patients should be monitored for potential drug interactions. Warnings include the risk of serious adverse events such as death and myocardial infarction.
If you are taking Interferon Beta-1a, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include multiple sclerosis relapse, influenza like illness, fatigue, fall, multiple sclerosis. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor for signs of serious adverse events such as falls, infections, and psychiatric symptoms. Discuss potential drug interactions with your healthcare provider. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Regulatory oversight is ongoing, with a focus on monitoring serious adverse events and ensuring patient safety. Patients should report any adverse events to their healthcare provider and the FDA.
The FDA has received approximately 322,666 adverse event reports associated with Interferon Beta-1a. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.
The most frequently reported adverse events for Interferon Beta-1a include Multiple Sclerosis Relapse, Influenza Like Illness, Fatigue, Fall, Multiple Sclerosis. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Multiple Sclerosis Relapse (15,800 reports), Influenza Like Illness (13,239 reports), Fatigue (11,525 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Interferon Beta-1a.
Out of 191,325 classified reports, 101,664 (53.1%) were classified as serious and 89,661 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.
Adverse event reports for Interferon Beta-1a break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 150,178, Male: 38,044, Unknown: 467. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.
The most frequently reported age groups for Interferon Beta-1a adverse events are: age 52: 3,528 reports, age 53: 3,453 reports, age 50: 3,393 reports, age 51: 3,376 reports, age 49: 3,343 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.
The primary manufacturer associated with Interferon Beta-1a adverse event reports is Biogen Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.
Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Interferon Beta-1a include: Gait Disturbance, Headache, Memory Impairment, Pain, Injection Site Pain. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.
You can report adverse events from Interferon Beta-1a to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.
Interferon Beta-1a has a safety concern score of 72 out of 100 (elevated concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Fatigue and falls are among the most common adverse events reported.
Key safety signals identified in Interferon Beta-1a's adverse event data include: Falls and gait disturbance. Serious adverse events like death and myocardial infarction. Infections, particularly pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Drug ineffectiveness and relapse in multiple sclerosis. Psychiatric symptoms including depression and anxiety. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.
Interferon beta-1a can interact with other drugs, and patients should be monitored for potential drug interactions. Warnings include the risk of serious adverse events such as death and myocardial infarction. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Interferon Beta-1a.
Monitor for signs of serious adverse events such as falls, infections, and psychiatric symptoms. Discuss potential drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
Interferon Beta-1a has 322,666 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Serious adverse events, such as death and myocardial infarction, are concerning. The volume of reports for Interferon Beta-1a reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.
Regulatory oversight is ongoing, with a focus on monitoring serious adverse events and ensuring patient safety. Patients should report any adverse events to their healthcare provider and the FDA. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.
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