After 2 years of Rebif and 1 year of Copaxone with no remittance in the progression of my disability, I discontinued use of any of the "CRAB" drugs.
This is information I posted on my web page several years ago. I've always been skeptical of the benefits and, as you can see, the drug makers themselves gave minimal percentages of benefit.
“CRAB” Drugs:
Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) - Manufactured byTeva Neuroscience, Copaxone is a synthetic compound made up of amino acids that is injected daily under the skin. Teva claims the drug is approximately 30% effective in protecting against MS attacks.
Rebif (interferon beta-1a) -
Manufactured by EMD Serono, Rebif is an interferon made from human plasma and is injected 3 times a week under the skin.
Merck claims the drug is approximately 33% effective in preventing relapses.
Avonex (interferon beta-1a) -
Manufactured by Biogen Idec, Avonex is an interferon made from human plasma and is injected once a week into the thigh muscle.
Biogen claims the drug is approximately 32% effective in decreasing relapses.
Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) -
Manufactured by Bayer, it is an interferon made from human plasma and is injected every 2 days under the skin. Once again, Bayer claims the drug is approximately 1/3 effective in decreasing relapses.
This sounds like an Obama plan to have insurance companys not pay for the drugs and lower their cost of the new health care plan. If they can prove that the drugs do not work, they will not cover the expenses. Obama's plan is just to give us generic pain killing drugs and let us die sooner. This way the cost of SSDI and medicare will be a lot less.
Are there any other meds
Actually, yes, there are quite a few other disease-modifying drugs.
The only class of drugs that were ruled "ineffective" were the interferon beta drug, Tysabri, Copaxone, Novantrone and Gilenya are other examples of available disease-modifying medications.
See our section on Medications for more information!
I was dx almost 10daily years ago. I started with avonex 2 years later rebif 2 years later copaxone 3 years later betaseron. Still on Betaseron. Had 3 bad relapses. Woke up 3a separate times and couldn't walk. Spent a week in hospital each time on a solumedrol drip. I'm constantly dizzy achy headache blurry vision. At this point I don't really know what a relapse is. I assume it is something that would make me go to hospital. Had optic neuritis at least 6 times. Can anyone tell me what they consider a relapse? I'm going for a brain MRI, EMG and vestibular test later this month to see if there's any significant change. Did I take all these injections for no reason? Rachel ram11273@aol.com
So I can understand from this that I wasted a year and a half on Copaxone and another 9.5 years on Betaferon/seron. My disability progressed quickly and now I'm on Tysabri + Ampyra for my degenerating abiloity to walk. I guess I feel better now than I had for 12 years. I'm glad our meds are improving, but po'ed that I wasted so long on treatments that recked my liver and did little or nothing to slow down disability progression.
Next life, huh?!
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2013 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Test Your MS Knowledge 
10 Symptoms That Could Be MS 
10 Foods That Fight Inflammation 
Unusual Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms 
Thanks for clarify a lot of this potentially complicated issue, Chris! I think what really drove the point home was the differences in the sample sizes in each study. But, as I've said before, I like my chances with the medicines on my side than moving forward without them.