Interferon Beta-1a



Avonex®; Rebif®







Interferon Beta-1a

(in ter FEER on BAY ta won aye)

U.S. Brand Names
Avonex®; Rebif®
Canadian Brand Names
Avonex®; Rebif®
Pharmacologic Category
Interferon
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • Please read the medication guide given to you.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to interferon beta-1a or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have a latex allergy, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat multiple sclerosis.
How does it work?
  • Interferon beta-1a helps the body's immune system fight multiple sclerosis.
  • It may decrease the number of attacks and the disabilities.
How is it best taken?
  • This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle once a week.
  • Take this medicine at bedtime to help with flu-like symptoms.
  • Wash hands before and after use.
  • Follow instructions closely if you or a family member are giving the shot at home.
  • Throw away needles in needle/sharp disposal box and return box to healthcare provider when full.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose, brand, or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you have bleeding problems, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider. The flu-like side effects of interferon may be stressful to heart patients.
  • If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have mental illness, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes, aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Inability to sleep.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
  • Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Seizures.
  • Severe dizziness or passing out.
  • Swelling.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Not hungry.
  • Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
  • For females, if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store unopened vials in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
  • You may store unopened Avonex® vials at room temperature. Throw away after 1 month.
  • Protect from heat.
  • Protect Rebif® from light.
  • Throw away any unused portion of opened vial after use.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
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