It is very important not to suddenly stop taking steroids. They must be gradually withdrawn under medical supervision. Interferon Interferon is a substance produced naturally by the body in response to virus infections. A synthetic version of interferon has been found to be effective against some forms of cancer. The side effects are similar to a very severe bout of flu.
Most patients can control the side-effects with paracetamol and by taking the interferon at bedtime.
Some patients will have to stop taking the drug because they find the side-effects intolerable. Interferon does not appear to prolong survival in myeloma patients but it can extend the length of plateau phase and so improve the quality of life. The bisphosphonates are a group of drugs which do not affect the disease directly but reduce bone damage. The general quality of life may improve with no adverse side effects. Most patients with myeloma are too old to be considered for a bone marrow transplant.