What is Interferon beta-1a?
Adults with relapsing multiple sclerosis (including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing remitting disease, and active secondary progressing disease) can be treated using interferon beta-1a.
Interferon beta-1a does not cure MS. It will only reduce the frequency of relapses.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for interferon beta-1a.
Side effects of Interferon beta-1a
If you experience symptoms of an allergic response (hives, itching or anxiety, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat), or a severe reaction to the skin (fever, sore eyes, skin pain or blisters, or a red or purple rash), seek emergency medical attention.
Interferon beta-1a can cause dangerous blood clots inside the small vessels of your organs, such as your kidneys or brain. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, decreased urination, or bruising.
Interferon beta-1a can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Pain, swelling, bruising, or changes in the skin where the injection has been given
- Feeling dizzy and disoriented. Sensing that they might pass out.
- Unusual changes in mood or behavior (e.g., feeling hopeless, anxious, nervous, irritable, or depressed);
- Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
- Easy bruising and unusual bleeding
- A seizure;
- Heart problems: swelling, rapid weight gain, and chest pain that spreads to the jaw or shoulder. Nausea. Sweating.
- Liver problems: nausea, fatigue, confusion, easy bleeding or bruising, dark urine or clay-coloured stool, or jaundice
- Signs of infection include fever, chills, bloody diarrhea, or a cough.
- Thyroid problems include mood swings, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, hunger, diarrhea, and pounding hearts. Other symptoms are dry skin, thinning or brittle hair, changes in menstruation, changes in weight, swelling of the face, and sensitivity to heat or cold.
Interferon beta-1a can cause a variety of side effects, including:
- Low blood cell count
- Skin changes at the injection site
- Depression;
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Stomach pain;
- Flu symptoms include headaches, backaches, fatigue, weakness, and muscle aches.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Your liver can be damaged by interferon beta-1a. If you experience symptoms like nausea, fatigue, confusion, easy bleeding or bruising, dark urine or stools, or yellowing skin or eyes, call your doctor.
Interferon beta-1a may prompt suicidal thoughts in some individuals. Be wary if any sudden mood or physical changes occur. Inform your doctor if you experience any new symptoms or if they worsen.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to albumin or natural or recombinant Interferon Beta, then you should avoid using Interferon 1a.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Blood clots or bleeding problems;
- Depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts and actions
- Liver disease
- Bleeding problems
- Low blood cell count
- Heart disease
- A thyroid disorder
- A latex allergy
- An autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus;
- A seizure;
- If you are a heavy drinker of alcohol,
Some brands of interferon beta-1a may contain human plasma that has been donated and could contain viruses or infectious agents. Plasma donated is treated and tested to reduce the chance of contamination. However, there is still some risk that it may transmit a disease. You should ask your doctor if there are any risks.
Inform your doctor of any pregnancy or breastfeeding plans.Anyone younger than 18 is not allowed to use Interferon beta-1a.
How to take Interferon beta-1a?
Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. You must take the medication exactly as prescribed. Injections of interferon beta-1a are available. You may be taught how to use the medication properly by your healthcare provider. Please read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medication. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Avonex injections are given into a muscle once a week, at bedtime, on the same date each week.
Rebif can be injected into the skin at the same time each day, three times a week, for example, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Before using the powder, it must be diluted with liquid. Only prepare an injection when you're ready to administer it. If the color of your medicine has changed or if it contains particles, do not use it. For new medication, call your pharmacist.
Your healthcare provider will tell you where to inject the interferon beta-1a. Each time you inject, use a new place. Don't inject in the same spot twice. Check for redness or swelling in the area of your injection about 2 hours after you have given it. If you notice a reaction to the skin that doesn't go away in a few days, call your doctor. You may experience flu-like symptoms when first using this medicine. Other medications may be prescribed to prevent these symptoms. Continue to take these medications as prescribed by your doctor. Medical tests will be required frequently.
Each prefilled syringe and injection pen are only intended for a single use. After one use, throw it out, even if the medicine is still inside. Keep this medicine in your refrigerator. Do not freeze, and protect from light. Mix the powdered form of interferon beta-1a with the diluent and store it in the refrigerator. Use the mixture within six hours. Remove the Avonex autoinjector from the fridge 30 minutes prior to your injection so that it can reach room temperature. The medicine should not be heated in hot water.
Store interferon beta-1a at room temperature for a few hours, protected from light.
- Avonex autoinjectors or prefilled syringes should not be left out of the refrigerator for more than seven days.
- The Avonex vial and the Rebif prefilled autoinjector or syringe should not be left out of the refrigerator for more than 30 days.
Interferon beta-1a should not be frozen. If it is, throw the medicine away.Each vial or syringe is only for one-time use. After one use, throw it out, even if the medicine is still inside.
Only use a needle or syringe once, and then store them in a "sharps container" that is puncture-proof. Be sure to follow local or state laws on how to properly dispose of the container. Keep the container out of reach of pets and children.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for multiple sclerosis:
AVONEX (R): 30 mg IV once a week
TITRATION DOSE TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF INFLUENZA-LIKE SYMPTOMS:
Week 1: Once a week, 7.5 mcg of IM
Week 2: 15 mg once a week
Week 3: Once a week, 22.5 mcg of IM
Weeks 4+: 30 mg once a day IM
REBIF (R): Subcutaneously, 22 mcg 3 times per week or 44 mcg:
TITRATION DOSE FOR 22 MCG
Weeks 1 and 2: 4.4 mg 3 times per week subcutaneously
Weeks 3 and 4: 11 mg 3 times per week subcutaneously
Weeks 5+: 22 mcg 3 times per week subcutaneously
TITRATION DOSE FOR 44 MCG
Weeks 1 and 2: 8.8 mg, 3 times per week, subcutaneously
Weeks 3 and 4: 22 mg 3 times per week subcutaneously
Weeks 5+: 44 mcg 3 times per week subcutaneously
Use: To treat patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis in order to reduce the number of exacerbations and slow down the accumulation of disability. Efficacy in patients with multiple sclerosis has been shown for those who have had a clinical episode with MRI findings consistent with multiple sclerosis.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Avonex: Inject the medicine as quickly as possible, but not two days in a row. Never use two doses in one go.If you missed a dose of Rebif, call your doctor to get instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Interferon beta-1a should not be injected into skin that has been bruised, infected, irritated, or red.
Interaction with other drug
Interferon beta-1a can be affected by other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are currently taking and those that you have started or stopped using.
