Interferon Beta-1A

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: interferon beta-1a, injection; Avonex; Rebif

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to slow the progression of the disease. This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How do I use it?

This medicine is usually given once a week by injection (shots) into a large muscle of the upper arm, thigh, or buttocks.

Often you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Be sure you know how and when to have them and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use them only once and dispose of them safely, following your health care provider's instructions.

These shots are normally given in the thigh muscle, the upper arms or the buttocks. Your health care provider will determine which muscle sites you can use and the exact dosage of the medicine.

Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Wash your hands before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots:

1. Select an injection site. To lessen irritation, choose a different spot and alternate the side used to give the shot each day.
2. Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot. Let the skin dry and avoid touching the area after you clean it.
3. Hold the syringe at a 90° angle to the muscle (straight up and down with the needle pointed toward the muscle).
4. With the other hand, hold the muscle firmly.
5. Insert the needle straight into the skin with a quick, firm motion.
6. Gently pull back on the plunger of the syringe. If no blood appears, inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger until the syringe is empty. If blood appears when you pull back on the plunger, withdraw the needle and syringe and gently press the alcohol swab on the injection site. Start over with a fresh needle.
7. After you have given yourself the medicine, withdraw the needle quickly, at the same angle it was inserted, and press the alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.
8. Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.

If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your health care provider or pharmacist for help.

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more or less than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

What should I watch out for?

If you feel depressed or have thoughts of suicide, contact your health care provider right away.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your health care provider right away.

You may have some soreness at the spot on the skin where the injection is given.

Contact your health care provider for advice if you have fever, chills, muscle pain, sweating, stuffy or runny nose, or general discomfort.

You may need regular lab tests to see how this medicine is affecting you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while you are taking this medicine, contact your health care provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without discussing with your health car

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Feelings of depression or thoughts of suicide, seizures.

Other: Headache, fever, chills, sweating, pain, infection, feeling tired, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea, diarrhea, problems sleeping, dizziness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported. However, do not have any vaccinations with live virus vaccines unless your health care provider approves.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Keep this medicine refrigerated. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Do not let it freeze. Use it within 3 hours of dissolving the powder.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.