The use of interferon beta at the time of initial diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Dr Macdonell makes it clear that when considering this therapy one has to take into account the nature of the disease at the time of clinical presentation. Currently it is unclear whether interferon beta is beneficial in secondary progressive MS, and so its initiation at this stage of MS is probably best avoided. Certainly interferon beta should be avoided in primary progressive MS at present, as there is no evidence that it has a beneficial clinical effect and indeed there is one report that it actually worsens the clinical picture by increasing spasticity.