What's the Dose?

Another thing you will learn is the proper dosage. The makers of Rebif suggest taking only 20% of the dose for the first week or so. After that, you will increase it to 50% or half the normal dose for the next couple of weeks. And only then will you take the full dose.

Most of these symptoms will probably go away or at least become less and less severe the longer you take Rebif. If you continue to experience them or they get worse, then talk to the nurse or your doctor. The nurse and or doctor can help you make adjustments to the dosage to make the injections more tolerable.

Sometimes an injection site can become inflamed, hardened, or lumpy. You shouldn't inject into a site that is hard or lumpy. Call your doctor or nurse and let them know.

More than likely they will suggest that you skip that site for the time being. Go on to one of the other *eight sites – stomach (not your belly button), thigh, butt, back of upper arm – both sides. When it has healed, you can go back to using that site.

*You should not inject in any of these sites until talking to the nurse who will train you how to do the injections.

When to Take

If you decide to take Rebif, you will be instructed to take it three days a week. It's best to take it on the same three days every week with 48 hours between each injection. In other words if you decide to take it on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; take it around the same time each day.

The best time to take it is late afternoon or evening. If you choose an evening time, say right before you go to bed, many of the side effects may be over with by the time you wake up. At least the severity of the symptoms will have gone away by then.

And as I mentioned earlier, the symptoms usually go away over time. Interferons don't work for everyone, though.