Asked by: Onesiforo Treffeisen
medical health cold and flu

What is Avonex injection?

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Avonex (interferon beta-1a) is made from human proteins. Interferons help the body fight viral infections. Avonex is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. Avonex will not cure MS, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.


Considering this, where do you give Avonex injection?

The recommended intramuscular injection site using the AVONEX PEN is the upper, outer thigh muscle. The injection site should be varied each week. For administration of AVONEX via the AVONEX PEN, the instructions in the package leaflet should be followed.

One may also ask, what are the side effects of Avonex? Flu-like symptoms such as headache, fatigue, fever, chills, and muscle aches may occur when you first start Avonex.

Common side effects of Avonex include:
  • injection site reactions (pain, swelling, or redness),
  • dizziness,
  • stomach pain, or.
  • runny or stuffy nose.

Just so, how often do you take Avonex?

One injection, once a week. With relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), people often wonder what their dosing schedule will look like once they begin treatment. AVONEX® is a once-weekly treatment. That means you have only one injection a week.

Does Avonex cause weight loss?

Serious Side Effects of Avonex Hallucinations. Seizures. Feeling hot or cold all the time. Unexplained weight gain or weight loss.

Related Question Answers

Edita Blohmer

Professional

How much does Avonex cost?

The cost for Avonex intramuscular powder for injection 30 mcg is around $7,240 for a supply of 4 powder for injection, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans.

Yevgeniy Lombraña

Professional

Can Avonex cause cancer?

People taking Avonex reported more malignant tumors, breast cancer diagnoses, and flu-like symptoms than those taking other drugs, while Betaseron users reported more heart attacks, bacterial infections, and liver problems.

Mellissa Histyaev

Professional

Are Avonex and Rebif the same?

Although Avonex and Rebif are similar and both contain interferon beta-1a, they aren't interchangeable. They're injected differently, dosed differently, and they have a different frequency or pattern of dosing.

Salimata Veigas

Explainer

How is Avonex made?

Avonex® is a medication manufactured by a biotechnological process from one of the naturally-occurring interferons (a type of protein). It is made up of exactly the same amino acids (major components of proteins) as the interferon beta found in the human body. Click here to read the FDA Medication Guide for patients.

Reme Ramaekers

Explainer

What is Avonex Pen used for?

Avonex is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. Avonex will not cure MS, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.

Sharleen Tiegelkamp

Pundit

Is Avonex generic?

When Will the Generic Be Available? Some or all forms of Avonex may become available as generic interferon beta-1a after September 2026, depending on FDA approval and patent expiration. It is possible that Avonex may become available as generic interferon beta-1a after September 2026.

Baljit Refoyo

Pundit

Does Rebif need to be refrigerated?

Rebif should be refrigerated between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C). Do not freeze. If a refrigerator is not available, Rebif may be stored between 36°F and 77°F (2°C and 25°C) for up to 30 days and away from heat and light.

Cuizhu Sariego

Pundit

Where is Avonex made?

AVONEX is a recombinant human beta-1a Interferon and is produced from Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells which contain the gene for human interferon beta. Interferon beta 1a (IFN-b-1a) is a glycosylated polypetide containing 166 amino acid residues.

Alain Garreta

Pundit

What company makes Rebif?

It is co-marketed by Merck Serono and Pfizer in the US under an exception to the Orphan Drug Act. It was approved in Europe in 1998 and in the US in 2002; it has since been approved in more than 90 countries worldwide including Canada and Australia. EMD Serono has had sole rights to Rebif in the US since January 2016.

Savina Carragal

Pundit

When did Betaseron become available?

Betaseron, the first product approved for the treatment of MS, is expected to be available in early October. Interferon beta-1b was approved July 23 for the treatment of ambulatory patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations ("The Pink Sheet" July 26, T&G-1).

Serban Glowatzki

Teacher

Is Avonex an immunosuppressant?

Interferon drugs, such as Avonex, work by modulating the immune system rather than inhibiting its function. An immunosuppressant drug, on the other hand, works by weakening an overactive immune system.

Sofiane Melancia

Teacher

Is Avonex a biologic?

BIOLOGIC: Biologics are drugs that are derived from a biological source (blood products, proteins, antibodies, etc.) In the MS community, biologics include: Avonex, Betaseron, Extavia, Rebif, Novantrone, and Tysabri.

Oulaya Ercoreca

Teacher

How is Betaseron administered?

BETASERON is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of a physician. If patients or caregivers are to administer BETASERON, train them in the proper technique for self-administering subcutaneous injections using the prefilled syringe or the optional injection device.

Margita Cortsen

Teacher

How often do you take Gilenya?

In adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older weighing more than 40 kg, the recommended dosage of GILENYA is 0.5 mg orally once-daily.

Buck Coste

Reviewer

How is beta interferon administered?

Interferon β (IFN-β) treatments include Rebif and Betaseron, which are administered via subcutaneous injection three times per week, and Avonex injection, which is given once per week. These drugs are thought to modulate T cell, B cell, and cytokine functions (producing antiinflammatory effects).

Said Pavesio

Reviewer

How long can you take Avonex?

Avonex powder or Rebif prefilled syringes can be stored at room temperature for up to 30 days. Avonex prefilled syringes can be stored at room temperature for only 7 days. After mixing Avonex powder with a diluent, store in the refrigerator and use it within 6 hours.

Iraida Weismuller

Reviewer

How much is Avonex a month?

As the nation's fastest-growing pharmacy program, Prescription Hope can obtain Avonex for individuals at the set price of $50 per month.

Stasys Hoogen

Reviewer

How does Plegridy work?

The exact way that Plegridy works in MS is not yet known but the active substance in the medicine, peginterferon beta 1-a, seems to calm down the immune system (the body's natural defences) and prevents the relapses of MS. This interferon is then 'pegylated' (attached to a chemical called polyethylene glycol).

Fernando Kuschmitz

Supporter

Does Avonex cause heart problems?

AVONEX can cause serious side effects, such as heart problems, including heart failure. While AVONEX is not known to have any direct effects on the heart, a few patients who did not have a history of heart problems developed heart muscle problems or congestive heart failure after taking AVONEX.

Co-Authored By:

EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

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30th April, 2020

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