This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Leuschen, M P. Articles by Healey, K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Leuschen, M P. Articles by Healey, K. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Hazardous Substances DB ACETAMINOPHEN IBUPROFEN NAPROXEN Medline Plus Health Information Pain Relievers Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

A randomized open label study of pain medications (naproxen, acetaminophen and ibuprofen) for controlling side effects during initiation of IFN ß-1a therapy and during its ongoing use for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6395, USA, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6395, USA, pleusche{at}unmc.edu

Mary Filipi

Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6395, USA

Kathleen Healey

Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6395, USA

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients initiating IFN b-1a, Avonex, therapy (Group 1, n-30) or experiencing side effects after 6 months on therapy (Group 2, n-30) were randomized for 5 weeks open label adjunct therapy to naproxen (Aleve®), acetaminophen (Tylenol®)or ibuprofen (Advil®). Our hypothesis was that non-prescription pain medications are effective in decreasing or alleviating the side effects associated with IFN b-1a therapy. Contrary to the hypothesis, most patients in both groups continued to report side effects on all pain medications. After 5 weeks, headache, fever, chills and injection site pain were low in5-50% of patients. Moderate to significant fatigue, muscle or joint pain continued in most patients. As a quality of life measure, the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (mFIS) improved for Group 1 on naproxen or ibuprofen with greatest improvement in physical subset (P-0.002 for naproxen and PB-0.01 for ibuprofen). Total mFIS for Group 1 on acetaminophen improved (P-0.04) due to improved cognitive subset rather than physical subset. Group 2, with side effects initially, reported less significant fatigue (severity 5-10) but more moderate fatigue (severity 2-4) at study end for all three medications. All medications improved cognitive subset (P=0.05). Physical mFIS subset did not improve for Group 2 on acetaminophen, but did with naproxen (P=0.05) or ibuprofen (P=0.03). Naproxen and ibuprofen were more effective than acetaminophen in minimizing physical side effects of IFN b-1a. None of the three pain medications tested were as effective as hypothesized for minimizing fatigue or muscle and joint pain.

Key Words: multiple sclerosis • interferon ß • side effects • naproxen • acetaminophen • ibuprofen

Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 10, No. 6, 636-642 (2004)
DOI: 10.1191/1352458504ms1114oa


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?