Home > Drug >

Avonex

Avonex

(interferon-beta-1a)

Interferon beta-1a belongs to a group of medications known as immunomodulators. It is a form of a protein that is naturally made by our body's cells to fight infections and tumours.

Available form

Dosage

Injectable Syringe

30MCG/0.5ML

Buy Avonex Full drug details

What is Pocketpills?

As Canada's leading online pharmacy, we make sure you always have your meds on time. Use our app and website to fill prescriptions, order refills, and consult with our pharmacists. Take control of your health from home or on the go!

Easy refills, renewals, and reminders
Quick answers to your questions
Free delivery with SMS updates

Join us

We'd love to tell you more

We won't bore you with the details, but Health Canada requires you to sign in.

By proceeding you agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

Avonex information

Dosage

Side Effects

Available Form

Contraindications

Precautions

Warnings

The usual adult dose of interferon beta-1a for people with relapsing forms of MS is 30 µg once a week as an injection into a muscle (thigh or upper arm) on the same day of the week (e.g., every Saturday right before bedtime). For people with relapsing progressive MS or secondary progressive MS with recurrent attacks, your doctor may increase the dose to 60 µg once a week.

To reduce flu-like symptoms at the start of treatment, your doctor may start treatment at a lower dose, and gradually increase the dose weekly over three to six weeks. Your doctor may also recommend a medication for pain or Fever to be taken before the injection and for 24 hours after the injection each week, to decrease flu-like side effects.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

Interferon beta-1a is used with the guidance and supervision of a doctor. Your doctor or nurse may ask you to inject the medication at home once they have instructed you and are certain that you won't have any problems with doing it at home. Do not attempt to prepare or inject Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) on your own until you completely understand how to prepare the syringe and inject a dose.

Make sure that you change your injection site each week. You should avoid injecting Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) into an area of skin that is sore, red, infected, or otherwise damaged. If you are having difficulty giving yourself injections, talk to your health care provider.

It is important to use Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, inject it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not inject a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Do not take Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) 2 days in a row.

Prefilled syringes of interferon beta-1a must be stored in the refrigerator. Remove the syringe from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before use to allow the medication to reach room temperature. Do not use external heat sources (such as hot water or a microwave) to warm up the medication. The prefilled syringe must be used within 7 days of removing it from the refrigerator.

Please refer to the package insert for complete instructions on using Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a). Always wash your hands before preparing the medication and after you have used it. Always use a new unopened vial, syringe, and needle. Never reuse vials, syringes, prefilled syringes, or needles.

Protect Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) from light, moisture, freezing, and high temperatures. Keep Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

abdominal pain
decreased appetite
Diarrhea
difficulty sleeping
dizziness
flu-like symptoms (fever, chills)
hair loss
headache
heartburn
muscle aches
nausea
skin irritation, swelling, or pain at the injection site
tiredness or weakness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

chest tightness
chills or fever
shortness of breath
signs of Anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
signs of bleeding (low levels of platelets; e.g., bloody nose, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
signs of infection (decreased numbers of white blood cells; e.g., fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
signs of heart problems (e.g., decreased ability to exercise, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, swollen ankles, tightness in the chest)
signs of liver problems (e.g., abdominal pain, dark urine or pale stools, easy bruising, yellow eyes or skin)
signs of Thyroid problems (e.g., changes in sleep patterns, feeling constantly hot or cold, weight changes)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

seizures
signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., difficulty breathing; Hives; swelling of the face, tongue, or throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a).

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a).

Allergic reactions: In rare cases, some people may develop a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) to Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a). Signs of an allergic reaction include a severe rash, hives, swollen face or throat, or difficulty breathing. If these occur, contact your doctor immediately. The needle cover on the prefilled syringe contains dry natural rubber. Before you start injections, tell your doctor if you have an allergy to rubber or latex.

Blood counts: Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) can decrease the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection), red blood cells (which carry oxygen), and platelets (which help your blood to clot). Your doctor will do blood tests to monitor this. If you notice any signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, or sore throat) or unusual bleeding or bruising, contact your doctor immediately.

Depression: Depression has been reported by some people taking interferon medications. If you have a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a), and whether any special monitoring is needed. People with depression should be closely monitored by their doctor. If you develop symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or thoughts of suicide while taking Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a), contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Heart problems: Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) may worsen symptoms of heart disease. If you have heart disease such as Angina, Congestive Heart Failure, or arrhythmia, discuss with your doctor how Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you develop symptoms of heart problems such as shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or swollen ankles.

Liver damage: Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) may cause severe liver damage. Although rare, this side effect can be very serious. If you have a history of poor liver function, alcohol abuse, or active liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor will test your liver function regularly while you are taking Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a). Contact your doctor as soon as possible 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.

Seizures: Some people have had seizures while taking Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a), including people who have never had seizures before. It is not known whether the seizures were related to the effects of their MS, the medication, or the combination of both. If you have seizure disorder, discuss with your doctor how Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a), and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you have a seizure while taking Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a), you should call your doctor right away.

Thyroid problems: Some people taking Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) develop changes in the function of their thyroid. Symptoms of these changes include feeling cold or hot all the time, a change in weight (gain or loss) without a change in your diet or amount of exercise you get, or feeling emotional. Contact your doctor if you experience these symptoms.

Pregnancy: Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a), contact your doctor immediately. Women who may become pregnant should use effective contraception while taking Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a).

Breast-feeding: It is not known if interferon beta-1a passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) have not been established for children and adolescents less than 18 years of age.

Continue with Pocketpills

All material © 1996-2024 MediResource Inc. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Helpful links

See these other medications
that relate to

Betaseron

Extavia

Intron A Albumin Free

Intron A Stylo

Intron A

Pegasys Syringe

FAQs

Do I need a valid prescription (Rx) to order prescription medication?

Yes, you need a valid prescription, or Rx for short, from a Canadian prescriber to purchase medication that requires a prescription. If you need a new prescription, please contact us and we can help connect you with a doctor or we will reach out to your doctor for a renewal.

How can I refill my medication?

We will gladly coordinate with your doctor and insurance company to make sure you never run out of the medication you need. Additionally, we will remind you when it's time to schedule a delivery for your refill. You can also opt into automatic refills online, in the app, or by calling us at 1-855-950-7225.

Is Pocketpills free? How much does it cost?

Yes, Pocketpills services are free! You only pay your portion of your copay, and there are no hidden delivery or service fees. We'll transfer your prescriptions from your old pharmacy, find savings, and hand-deliver your medications at no extra cost.

What insurance plans do you accept?

We accept all insurance plans and direct bill ODB, OHIP+, and PharmaCare.

How much is shipping cost For Avonex in Canada?

Shipping cost for Avonex to you in Canada is zero. Pocketpills offers FREE shipping anywhere in Canada to help you get access to treatment.

How to get Avonex delivered to my home?

You could get Avonex delivered at your doorstep from us in Canada if you ordered prescription medications with a valid prescription. If you are not sure if we deliver to your area, contact us.