Kesimpta, Tysabri, and More: 8 Injections and Infusions for Multiple Sclerosis
For people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), many injectable medications are available to manage the condition. Here are eight MS injections and infusions to know.
Avonex
Used for Multiple Sclerosis
Used for Multiple Sclerosis
Avonex (interferon beta-1a) is an injectable biologic used for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). However, it can cause uncomfortable flu-like symptoms as a side effect.
What is Avonex (interferon beta-1a)?
What is Avonex (interferon beta-1a) used for?
- Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS)
How Avonex (interferon beta-1a) works
Avonex (interferon beta-1a) is a biologic medication. Interferons typically attach to certain proteins and affect cell processes. It's not known exacty how Avonex (interferon beta-1a) helps treat multiple sclerosis.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Avonex |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Biologic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Avonex (interferon beta-1a)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache (58%)
- Flu-like symptoms (49%)
- Weakness, fatigue (24%)
- Muscle pain (29%)
- Fever (20%)
- Chills (19%)
- Depression (18%)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) (17%)
- Dizziness (14%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Stomach pain
- Injection site reaction
- Infection
- Toothache
- Joint pain
- Hair loss
- Eye problems
- Migraine
Avonex (interferon beta-1a) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Liver damage: severe stomach pain, pale stools, dark urine, or yellowing of your skin or eyes
- Chest pain
- Abnormal bleeding
- Seizures
The following Avonex (interferon beta-1a) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Black, tarry stools
chills
flu-like symptoms
headache
joint pain
muscle aches
painful or difficult urination
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
swollen glands
trouble breathing
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
Clumsiness or unsteadiness
decreased hearing
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fainting
feeling of warmth
mood changes, especially with thoughts of suicide
pain or discharge from the vagina
pelvic discomfort, aching, or heaviness
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site
runny or stuffy nose
seizures
skin lesions
speech problems
stomach pain
swelling of the face, lips, or eyelids
Rare
general feeling of discomfort or illness
loss of appetite
painful blisters on trunk of the body
painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
Incidence not known
Bleeding gums
blood in the urine or stools
bloody nose
chest discomfort
confusion
dark urine
decreased urine output
depressed mood
dilated neck veins
dry skin and hair
extreme fatigue
fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
feeling cold
general tiredness and weakness
heavier menstrual periods
high fever
irregular breathing
light-colored stools
loss of bladder control
mental depression
mood or other mental changes
muscle cramps and stiffness
nausea or vomiting
nervousness
pale skin
persistent loss of appetite
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids, or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
sensitivity to heat
skin rash
slowed heartbeat
sudden loss of consciousness
sweating
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
swelling of the mouth or throat
tightness in the chest
tightness in the throat
upper right stomach pain or tenderness
weight gain or loss
yellow eyes and skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$14653.23
GoodRx discount
$8029.00
Pros and cons of Avonex (interferon beta-1a)
Pros
- A disease-modifying therapy (DMT) that prevents worsening MS
- One of the first DMTs approved for MS, so there's a lot of research and experience
- Comes as an autoinjector pen and prefilled syringe for easy at-home injections
- Can be stored at room temperature for up to 7 days
Cons
- Not a first-choice treatment option for relapsing MS
- Needs to be injected every week
- Has many unpleasant side effects
- Might not be a good option for people with a history of mental health conditions
Pharmacist tips for Avonex (interferon beta-1a)
- Avonex (interferon beta-1a) is a once-weekly injection. Pick a day of the week that is convenient for you and typically works well with your schedule.
- Your healthcare provider will show you how to properly inject the medication. They might watch you when you do your first injection to make sure that you're administering it properly.
- Store Avonex (interferon beta-1a) in the refrigerator; don't freeze it. If you're traveling or don't have access to a refrigerator, Avonex (interferon beta-1a) can be stored at room temperature for up to 7 days. Don't put medication back in the refrigerator after it has reached room temperature.
- Keep the syringes or injection pens in their original container. This will protect the medication from light.
- When you're ready for your injection, take Avonex (interferon beta-1a) out of the refrigerator and let it warm up to room temperature. This can take about 30 minutes and can help with injection discomfort.
- Always check that the medication is clear, colorless, and free of particles. Don't use the medication if it's cloudy, colored, or has lumps or particles in it. Contact your provider or pharmacy about a replacement medication.
- Flu-like symptoms are a common side effect. It's usually worse in the beginning and should get better with time. Make sure you stay hydrated. Using over-the-counter cold and flu medications, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), can help with the symptoms.
- Let your provider know if you have a latex allergy. The cap for the syringe and pen both contain natural latex.
Risks and warnings for Avonex (interferon beta-1a)
Avonex (interferon beta-1a) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Mental health
- Risk factors: History of mental health conditions
Interferons, such as Avonex (interferon beta-1a), can affect your mental health. This can include depression, aggressive behavior, and in severe cases, thoughts about harming yourself or others. Avonex (interferon beta-1a) might not be a good option for people who have a history of violent behavior or certain mental health conditions. Let your provider know if you notice a change in mood while taking Avonex (interferon beta-1a). If it's caused by the medication, it will usually go away once the medication is stopped.
Liver damage
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that harm the liver | Chronic heavy alcohol consumption
Avonex (interferon beta-1a) can cause liver damage and in some cases, lead to serious liver problems. Your provider will monitor your blood tests closely to check your liver function and might stop the medication if your liver tests get too high. Let your provider know if you have severe stomach pain, pale stools, dark urine, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. These can be signs of a liver problem.
Congestive heart failure
- Risk factors: History of heart conditions
Some people taking Avonex (interferon beta-1a) experienced heart problems. Let your provider know if you have a history of heart conditions. They may monitor your heart more closely. If you have a cardiologist, let them know you're taking Avonex (interferon beta-1a).
Lower blood cell counts
Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower blood cell counts
Avonex (interferon beta-1a) can affect the way your cells work and result in decreased blood cell counts. Having fewer red and white blood cells can raise your risk of bleeding, infection, and anemia. Your provider will monitor your labs and might stop or pause the medication if your cell counts become too low. Let your provider know if you have an infection or notice any abnormal bleeding (like bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, a cut that won't stop bleeding, or a bruise that gets larger with time).
Seizures
- Risk factors: History of seizure
It's rare, but using Avonex (interferon beta-1a) has been associated with seizures. Let your provider know if you have a history of seizures before starting Avonex (interferon beta-1a).
Avonex (interferon beta-1a) dosage
The average cost for 1 dose pack of 4 pens of 30mcg/0.5ml of Avonex (interferon beta-1a) is $8,039.78 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 34.99% off the average retail price of $12,366.54.
Interactions between Avonex (interferon beta-1a) and other drugs
Avonex (interferon beta-1a) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Avonex (interferon beta-1a). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Avonex (interferon beta-1a) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Avonex (brand)
$8,029.00
What are alternatives to Avonex (interferon beta-1a)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Avonex (interferon beta-1a). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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