Injection

Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship) is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS)

Do not take Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship) if you are allergic to Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship) or to any ingredient present in Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship).

Before using Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship), tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine if you are taking any herbal products, if you are taking blood thinners if you have stomach problems if you have peptic ulcers if you have any other medical condition like liver or kidney function impairment, heart ot lung problem

Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship) should be used with caution by people with a pre-existing seizure disorder (such as epilepsy). Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship) may cause severe liver damage. This side effect is rare, but can be very serious. It usually occurs in the first six months of treatment, but may also occur later in treatment. Your doctor will test your liver function regularly while you are taking Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship). Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the signs of liver damage, including yellow eyes or skin, easy bruising of the skin, nausea and vomiting, itching, or abdominal pain. People with a history of poor liver function, alcohol abuse, or active liver disease should be closely monitored by their doctor while taking Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship).

Other: Runny or stuffy nose, swelling and pain at the injection site

How much medicine you take and how often you take it depend on many factors, including the condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship) you are taking, talk with your health care provider. Do not stop taking Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship) without checking with your health care provider. Patients with previous medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before taking Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship). Do not take more medicine than prescribed unless advised to do so by your health care provider. Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your health care provider. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. If more than one dose is missed, contact your health care provider or pharmacist. Your doctor or nurse may ask you to inject the medication at home once he or she has instructed you and is certain that you won't have any problems with doing it at home. Make sure that you change your injection site each week. You should avoid injecting Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship) into an area of skin that is sore, red, infected, or otherwise damaged. Keep the medication in the refrigerator before use, but make sure it doesn't freeze. Take it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before use to allow the medication to reach room temperature. If you have left the medication out of the refrigerator by mistake, it can be kept at room temperature for up to 30 days. Please refer to the package insert for complete instructions on using Avonex (requires refrigeration, not able to ship). Always wash your hands before preparing the medication and after you have used it. Always use a new, unopened vial and syringe of interferon beta-1a for each injection. Never reuse vials or syringes.