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Interferon beta-1a IM Injection Treatment Report

Category: Prescription Drugs

Most Popular Types: Avonex, Avonex Prefilled Syringe, Avonex Pen

Generic Name: Interferon beta-1a IM Injection

See patients taking Interferon beta-1a IM Injection

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122 patient evaluations for Interferon beta-1a IM Injection

change

Sex: F

Data Quality: 1 star

MS: 4 yrs

Type: Relapsing-Remitting

Sensation: Moderate

Overall: Moderate

Cognition: moderate

Vision: moderate

Speech: moderate

Swallowing: moderate

Upper limb: moderate

Walking: moderate
by change
See change's full Interferon beta-1a IM Injection history

**Purpose:** MS (Multiple Sclerosis) *(Started Sep 30, 2008)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Sep 14, 2010	30 mcg Weekly	Slight	Severe	Always	A little
Aug 01, 2010	30 mcg Weekly	Moderate	Moderate	Always	Not at all
Dec 27, 2008	30 mcg Weekly	?Can't tell	Moderate	Always	Not at all

Side effects:: Flu like symptoms

Date: Aug 01, 2010
Advice & Tips: be sure you take ibuprophen! also ask your doc for Amantidine, this helps with the flu feeling you get from using Avonex, also know one week you could not have any side effects, just know this will not be the case every week, you could go 3 weeks and be fine and then all of a suddon you are sicker then you thought possible, just treat yourself like you have the flu and do not fight the fact that that you are having side effects, remember it is what it is and there is nothing we can do to stop it, just be gratful for the times you are not sick! Stay strong, and know it will end!
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Dec 27, 2008
Advice & Tips: Stay hydrated and remember your Aleve before your shot and 12 hours after. This helps with the side effects.
Cost: < $25 monthly

1 helpful mark

Cara

Sex: F

Data Quality: 2 stars

MS: 7 yrs

Type: Relapsing-Remitting

Sensation: Moderate

Overall: Moderate

Cognition: moderate

Vision: moderate

Speech: mild

Swallowing: moderate

Upper limb: moderate

Walking: moderate
by Cara
See Cara's full Interferon beta-1a IM Injection history

**Purpose:** MS (Multiple Sclerosis) *(Started Mar 06, 2010)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Aug 02, 2010	30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly	Slight	Severe	Always	Not at all

0 helpful marks

azcharli

Sex: F

Data Quality: 2 stars

MS: 18 yrs

Type: Relapsing-Remitting

Sensation: Moderate

Overall: Moderate

Cognition: moderate

Vision: moderate

Speech: moderate

Swallowing: moderate

Upper limb: moderate

Walking: moderate
by azcharli
See azcharli's full Interferon beta-1a IM Injection history

**Purpose:** MS (Multiple Sclerosis) *(Started Jul 01, 2011)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jul 20, 2010		None	Severe	Always	Somewhat

Side effects:: Fatigue, Flu like symptoms, Muscle and joint pain

Date: Jul 20, 2010
Advice & Tips: The side effects were so severe that I was ready to take my own life... I stopped the medication immediately!
Cost: $100-199 monthly

0 helpful marks

satyr66

Sex: M

Data Quality: 2 stars

MS: 19 yrs

Type: Secondary Progressive

Sensation: None

Overall: Mild

Cognition: moderate

Vision: none

Speech: none

Swallowing: none

Upper limb: moderate

Walking: moderate
by satyr66
See satyr66's full Interferon beta-1a IM Injection history

**Purpose:** MS (Multiple Sclerosis) *(Started Sep 01, 1997)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jul 12, 2010		Slight	Moderate	Always	Somewhat

Side effects:: Flu like symptoms

Date: Jul 12, 2010
Advice & Tips: Deep bones chills 4 hours after injection lasting up to 8 hours, take this med before you go to bed, completely useless for 24 hours after the injection. I'm so glad that this medication is in my past.
Cost: $25-49 monthly

0 helpful marks

IhaveMS

Sex: F

Data Quality: 1 star

MS: 27 yrs

Type: Secondary Progressive

Sensation: Moderate

Overall: Moderate

Cognition: moderate

Vision: moderate

Speech: none

Swallowing: none

Upper limb: moderate

Walking: severe
by IhaveMS
See IhaveMS's full Interferon beta-1a IM Injection history

**Purpose:** MS (Multiple Sclerosis) *(Started Jun 27, 2010)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jul 06, 2010	30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly	?Can't tell	Severe	Always	Not at all

Side effects:: Headaches, Body Aches, Nausea, Chills/fever, Extreme flu like malaise

Date: Jul 06, 2010
Advice & Tips: When they say "may cause flu-like symptoms...don't take that lightly. I know it's a catch as catch can but dangit, I was no where NEAR prepared for what it did/is doing to me. If your anything like me and your sypmtoms last more than as they say the 1st 12-24 hour persiod...don't wait get on the phone, call the avonex nurse and get hold of your doctor let him/her know the seriousness of symptoms, be as detailed but as brief as you can keep a thermometer handy keep ice pacsk handy keep extra blankets handy and Layer your clothing, if you can have someone keep an eye on you the first few times you do your shots this is not just the night it's done(yes do it at bedtime) but also into the next couple days at least... yeah this is worse case scenerio and maybe your situation may totally different but better to be prepared for the worst and get the best outcome than not be prepared at all,soday crackers and jinger asle might be your best friends do the the nausa and cool rags for the headaches. I am now on day 4 of my 2ond injection and I still feel like I been kicked by a mule. Please don't panic of all that I have said but just be aware there are a small % of us who get hit and get hit hard. So just a small word of preparedness and caution.

0 helpful marks

wysiwyg

Sex: F

Data Quality: 1 star

MS: 25 yrs

Type: Relapsing-Remitting

Sensation: Moderate

Overall: Mild

Cognition: moderate

Vision: moderate

Speech: mild

Swallowing: mild

Upper limb: mild

Walking: moderate
by wysiwyg
See wysiwyg's full Interferon beta-1a IM Injection history

**Purpose:** MS (Multiple Sclerosis) *(Started Jan 21, 1990)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jun 25, 2010	30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly	Major	Moderate	Always	Not at all
Jan 12, 2009	30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly	Major	Mild	Always	A little

Side effects:: Flu like symptoms, Chills/fever, Body Aches, Generalized muscle aches

Date: Jun 25, 2010
Advice & Tips: I have been taking Avonex since the original trials. I really believe that it has helped my MS from progressing as quickly as it would have otherwise. When I began treatment I was experiencing 2+ exacerbations per month...and since I started using Avonex, my exacerbations have been 1 (or less) per YEAR! (and that is since about 1991)
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Jan 12, 2009
Advice & Tips: I have been using Avonex since the original Trials...many years ago (around 1990), and have never missed a dose! I really believe it has had a LOT to do with my MS not progressing as quickly. The shots are really no big deal. And, now you can use a shorter needle! yea! After all these years, my biggest problem is trying to find new spots to inject! (Don't want to damage tissue)_

0 helpful marks

sista

Sex: F

Data Quality: 2 stars

MS: 16 yrs

Type: Secondary Progressive

Sensation: Moderate

Overall: Moderate

Cognition: moderate

Vision: moderate

Speech: moderate

Swallowing: moderate

Upper limb: moderate

Walking: moderate
by sista
See sista's full Interferon beta-1a IM Injection history

**Purposes:** MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and Other *(Started May 12, 1995)*
Date	Dosage	MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Perceived effectiveness	Other Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jun 16, 2010	30 mcg Daily	Moderate		Severe	Always	Somewhat
May 11, 2010	30 mcg Daily	Moderate		Moderate	Usually	A little
Jan 15, 2010	30 mcg Daily	Moderate		Moderate	Usually	A little
Dec 12, 2009	30 mcg Daily	Slight		None	Usually	Somewhat
Nov 13, 2009	30 mcg Daily	Moderate		Moderate	Usually	Somewhat
Oct 12, 2009	30 mcg Daily		Moderate	Severe	Usually	A little
Sep 17, 2009	30 mcg Daily		Major	Severe	Usually	Somewhat
Aug 21, 2009	30 mcg Daily		Major	Severe	Usually	A little
Aug 02, 2009	30 mcg Daily		Slight	Mild	Always	A little
Jun 26, 2009	30 mcg Daily		Moderate	Moderate	Always	Not at all
May 12, 2009	30 mcg Daily		Moderate	Severe	Always	Not at all

Side effects:: Body Aches, Injection site scar, Lethargy, Chills/fever, Headaches, Joint pain, Flu like symptoms, Generalized muscle aches, Fever, Migraine headaches

Date: Jun 16, 2010
Advice & Tips: take as perscibed,make cause flu like systemns.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: May 11, 2010
Advice & Tips: headaches and flu like feeling
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Jan 15, 2010
Advice & Tips: Get when perscibed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Dec 12, 2009
Advice & Tips: I can not use it right now,because of my cancer.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Nov 13, 2009
Advice & Tips: take when perscibed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Oct 12, 2009
Advice & Tips: take a pain releaver about a hour before injecting
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Sep 17, 2009
Advice & Tips: Get when needed
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Aug 21, 2009
Advice & Tips: take something for pain a hafe in hour,before shot
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Aug 02, 2009
Advice & Tips: take a pain releaver about 1 hour before in jecting.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: Jun 26, 2009
Advice & Tips: take some for pain about 30 minutes before injection
Cost: < $25 monthly

Date: May 12, 2009
Advice & Tips: take a couple of tylnol or something to help with pain.i take it about 30 minutes before in jection
Cost: < $25 monthly

0 helpful marks

Licod6fe

Sex: F

Data Quality: 0 stars

MS: 9 yrs

Type: Relapsing-Remitting

Sensation: Moderate

Overall: Mild

Cognition: moderate

Vision: mild

Speech: mild

Swallowing: mild

Upper limb: mild

Walking: moderate
by Licod6fe
See Licod6fe's full Interferon beta-1a IM Injection history

**Purpose:** MS (Multiple Sclerosis) *(Started Jun 10, 2007)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jun 16, 2010	30 mcg Weekly	Slight	Severe	Always	Somewhat

Side effects:: Flu like symptoms

Date: Jun 16, 2010
Advice & Tips: i selfinjedted it after training with ms nurse unexpected benefits negativ cause i developed antibodies in the first 6 to 12 months the sideeffects were awfull, i basically had all the sideeffects you can get i took a shot every wednesday and on thursdays i was always even more tired than usual

0 helpful marks

beth812

Sex: F

Data Quality: 1 star

MS: 13 yrs

Type: Relapsing-Remitting

Sensation: Moderate

Overall: Mild

Cognition: mild

Vision: mild

Speech: mild

Swallowing: mild

Upper limb: mild

Walking: mild
by beth812
See beth812's full Interferon beta-1a IM Injection history

**Purpose:** MS (Multiple Sclerosis) *(Started Oct 12, 2001)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jun 08, 2010	30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly	Moderate	None	Always	Not at all

Date: Jun 08, 2010
Advice & Tips: I picked the best day of the week for me so it was a weekly ritual . While on the Avenox I rarely had relapses and those that I did have were brought on by excessive heat and fatigue along with stress.I felt for me that once a week was enough for me to give myself the SHOT.
Cost: $200+ monthly

0 helpful marks

anotherOne

Sex: F

Data Quality: 0 stars

MS: 8 yrs

Type: Relapsing-Remitting

Sensation: None

Overall: None

Cognition: mild

Vision: mild

Speech: none

Swallowing: none

Upper limb: none

Walking: none
by anotherOne
See anotherOne's full Interferon beta-1a IM Injection history

**Purpose:** MS (Multiple Sclerosis) *(Started Mar 01, 2008)*
Date	Dosage	Perceived effectiveness	Side Effects	Adherence	Burden
Jun 01, 2010	30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly	Moderate	Mild	Usually	A little
Oct 20, 2009	30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly	Moderate	Mild	Always	A little
Feb 25, 2009	30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly	?Can't tell	Mild	Usually	A little
Jan 11, 2009	30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly	?Can't tell	Mild	Always	A little
Jan 07, 2009	30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly	?Can't tell	Mild	Always	Not at all

Side effects:: Tiredness, Chills/fever, Body Aches

Date: Jun 01, 2010
Advice & Tips: My husband gave me my injections as my fear of needles would never allow me to inject myself. The side effects were manageable for me with the use of Tylenol or Advil. I had one mild flare up during my time on Avonex, but there were new lesions discovered on my most recent MRI (May 2010). I quit taking Avonex in June when we decided to get pregnant. We were successful and expect our baby boy in early May 2011. After the birth of the baby, I will begin a new MS therapy. The docs think Tysabri is the way to go, but we have not finalized a new path yet.
Cost: $50-99 monthly

Date: Oct 20, 2009
Advice & Tips: I did have a mild flare up a few months ago - Optic neuritis strikes again! It was mild and more of an annoyance than anything. Didn't have to do the steroid treatment because is wasn't extremely disruptive to my day-to-day activities. When I met with my doc a couple of weeks ago she expressed that it was a good thing I was sticking with the Avonex. In spite of the flare up, after reviewing the most recent MRI results and talking with me she feels that the Avonex IS working.
Cost: $50-99 monthly

Date: Feb 25, 2009
Advice & Tips: Eating a meal right after the injection has helped minimize my side effects. Also taking the max dosage of Tylenol or Advil right before the injection and often 3-4 hours later have helped to manage the side effects. I schedule my injections for a time when there is the least amount of other activity planned. This way, if I do have a crappy reaction I can veg out, have a lazy day and just relax. After a year and half using Avonex the times when I experience side effects are very infrequent.
Cost: $50-99 monthly

Date: Jan 11, 2009
Advice & Tips: I take my shot on Fridays between 5:30pm and 7:30pm. Then I stay home and have a lazy evening and Saturday morning. Usually by Saturday afternoon I feel normal again and still have a weekend. I take 3 extra strength Tylenol 30 mins. before injection and again 3 hours later. I have found that a solid meal after the injection is necessary for controlling my side effects. A few times I had uncontrollable chills - the heating pad was the only thing that helped ease them. I don't know if it's really working or not but I haven't had any flare ups since I started the treatment so I feel optimistic about the treatment.
Cost: $25-49 monthly

Date: Jan 07, 2009
Advice & Tips: Since beginning with Avonex about 9 mos. ago I haven't had any relapse. I assume that means the meds are doing their job. I control the side effects easily by staying well hydrated, taking Tylenol before the injection and have a meal shortly after the injection. After first few months side effects are less frequent.
Cost: $25-49 monthly

2 helpful marks

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