Patient Education

Interferon Beta-1a injection

What does interferon beta-1a injection do?

INTERFERON BETA-1a (Avonex®) is a drug that acts like a substance in your body called interferon beta. Interferon beta helps to control your immune system. Interferon beta-1a helps to decrease the number and severity of attacks in multiple sclerosis. Interferon betas are occasionally used to treat other diseases. Generic interferon beta-1a injections are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive interferon beta-1a?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

•depression

•heart disease or irregular heart beats

•low blood counts

•previous heart attack

•seizure disorder

•an unusual or allergic reaction to interferon, albumin, hamster proteins, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

•pregnant or trying to get pregnant

•breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Interferon beta-1a is for injection into a muscle. It may be given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting. Your health care professional may teach you how to give these injections at home. Make sure you understand how to give the injections before you give them yourself. Before preparing an injection always wash your hands well with soap and water. Do not shake the solution before measuring or injecting a dose. Do not use more than the prescribed dose. Using larger or more frequent doses increases the risk of getting serious side effects.

Do not reuse needles or syringes. Discard needles and syringes in a puncture-resistant container provided to you by your health care professional.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose or an appointment for a dose, take it as soon as possible or reschedule your appointment as soon as possible. You may continue your regular schedule but do not give 2 injections within 2 days of each other.

What other medicines can interact with interferon beta-1a?

•zidovudine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving interferon beta-1a?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

•confusion

•depression

•fainting

•mood changes, anxiety

•seizures

•unusual weakness or tiredness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

•diarrhea

•dizziness

•fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms

•headache

•muscle aches

•nausea, vomiting

•pain, redness, swelling, and irritation at the injection site

•stomach pain

What do I need to watch for while I receive interferon beta-1a?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are feeling depressed.

Females of childbearing age should use a reliable method of birth control. If you do become pregnant, stop using interferon beta-1a at once and contact your prescriber or health care professional.

Reactions at the site of injection may occur. Ask your prescriber or health care professional to suggest a series of injection sites, so that you do not have to use the same site repeatedly.

Flu-like symptoms are common with interferon beta-1a therapy. Using this medicine at night can reduce these symptoms. Your prescriber or health care professional may suggest taking acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®, etc) before your dose and for 24 hours after you receive your injection.

Use disposable syringes only once, and throw away syringes and needles in a closed container to prevent accidental needle sticks.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

This medicine must be kept cold. Store in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F); do not freeze. If a refrigerator is not available, the medicine may be kept at room temperature at or below 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) for up to 30 days. Use as soon as possible after preparing the solution. If necessary, the prepared solution may be kept in a refrigerator for up to 6 hours. Throw away any unused solution.

NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.