Peginterferon beta-1a 94micrograms/0.5ml solution for injection pre-filled disposable devices
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, disrupting communication between the brain and other parts of the body.
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Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Peginterferon beta-1a
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1 branded products available
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Plegridy 94micrograms/0.5ml solution for injection pre-filled pens
WHO defined daily dose (DDD)
8.9 microgram
Not a recommended dose. The DDD is the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It is a statistical measure used for research and comparison purposes only.
Source: WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, distributed via NHS dm+d BNF mapping files. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and NHS BNF section grouping. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
Clinical guidelines and formulary information
British National Formulary
Peginterferon beta-1a
Source: British National Formulary, NICE. Joint Formulary Committee. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
NICE clinical guidance(6)
Peginterferon beta-1a for treating relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (TA624)
Ozanimod for treating relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (TA706)
Ponesimod for treating relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (TA767)
Ofatumumab for treating relapsing multiple sclerosis (TA699)
Multiple sclerosis in adults: management (NG220)
Natalizumab (originator and biosimilar) for treating highly active relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis after disease-modifying therapy (TA1126)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Check stock at pharmacies and supply information
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Supply & product information
Official product databases and supply status monitoring
Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. emc (electronic medicines compendium) is operated by Datapharm Ltd. Shortage information sourced from NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS), sps.nhs.uk.
Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
These codes are used by healthcare IT systems and prescribers to identify this medicine.
NHS UK identifiers
Browse tools
SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF codes from NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
None known
Half-life
78 h
Mechanism
The mechanism by which peginterferon beta-1a exerts its effects in patients with…
Food interactions
None known
Human targets
1 target
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
1.5 days
Half-life
78 h
[A227983]…
Protein binding
Volume of distribution
481 L
[L31428]…
Metabolism
[L31428]
Elimination
[A227983][L31428]
Clearance
4.1 L/h
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Peginterferon beta-1a is an interferon therapy used for the management of relapsing forms of MS. It was originally approved by the FDA in 2014 for subcutaneous use, and was approved for intramuscular use in January 2021.[L31428] Currently, it is the only approved pegylated interferon for the management of MS with an proven ability to reduce relapses and delay the progression of disability resulting from MS.
[L31428]
Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 561 interactions
[L31428]
In a case report, a 38-year-old patient attempted suicide with about 6 or 7 pre-filled syringes containing 44 mug (12 MIU) of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a; symptoms were limited to malaise and skin erythema, which resolved within 24 hours with no intervention. Laboratory test results were unremarkable.
[A191871]
In the case of an overdose with interferon-beta 1a, prescribing information suggests to contact the local poison control centre.
[L31438]
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
[L31428]
The AUC ranges from 23.5-29.5 ng ml−1h, according to one pharmacokinetic study of patients with MS. Impairment of renal function may alter the Cmax and AUC of interferon beta-1a.
[A227983]
[A227983]
[L31428]
One pharmacokinetic study of patients administered interferon beta-1a revealed a volume of distribution in the range of 248-726 L, depending on the week of treatment.
[A227983]
[L31428]
[A227983][L31428]
[L31428]
One pharmacokinetic study revealed a clearance within the range of 3.68-7.89 L/h, depending on the week of treatment.
[A227983]
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
PMID:10049744 PMID:14532120 PMID:15337770 PMID:2153461 PMID:21854986 PMID:24075985 PMID:31270247 PMID:33252644 PMID:35442418 PMID:7813427
Type I interferon binding activates the JAK-STAT signaling cascade, resulting in transcriptional activation or repression of interferon-regulated genes that encode the effectors of the interferon response .
PMID:10049744 PMID:21854986 PMID:7665574
Mechanistically, type I interferon-binding brings the IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 subunits into close proximity with one another, driving their associated Janus kinases (JAKs) (TYK2 bound to IFNAR1 and JAK1 bound to IFNAR2) to cross-phosphorylate one another .
PMID:21854986 PMID:32972995 PMID:7665574 PMID:7813427
The activated kinases phosphorylate specific tyrosine residues on the intracellular domains of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2, forming docking sites for the STAT transcription factors .
PMID:21854986 PMID:32972995 PMID:7526154 PMID:7665574 PMID:7813427
STAT proteins are then phosphorylated by the JAKs, promoting their translocation into the nucleus to regulate expression of interferon-regulated genes .
PMID:19561067 PMID:21854986 PMID:32972995 PMID:7665574 PMID:7813427 PMID:9121453
Can also act independently of IFNAR2: form an active IFNB1 receptor by itself and activate a signaling cascade that does not involve activation of the JAK-STAT pathway (By similarity)
Enzymes involved in drug metabolism — important for understanding drug interactions
ATC L03AB13
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Peginterferon beta-1a
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
22631
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:5432
GenAtlas
IFNAR1
GeneCards
IFNAR1
GenBank Gene Database
J03171
GenBank Protein Database
306914
Guide to Pharmacology
1723
UniProt Accession
INAR1_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2596
GenAtlas
CYP1A2
GeneCards
CYP1A2
GenBank Gene Database
Z00036
Guide to Pharmacology
1319
UniProt Accession
CP1A2_HUMAN
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite the following publications: