• Effectiveness

  None (for multiple sclerosis)
• Side effects

  None (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Somewhat hard to take

Dosage: 0.3 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: For some this treatment works as for me it didn't. I would like to THANK All those at NOVARTISE for their help and followup care. After careful thought and prayer and numerous office visits with different Hospitals. I will be Starting Novantrone in February 2011 This gives me the best option of continuum of care without closing the door on other options. so we will try this first then Cytotoxen and Tysabri last instead of first.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: flu like symptoms, injection site bruising, mild side effects, injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
• Side effects

  None (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  A little hard to take

Dosage: 0.3 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: I started Extavia in January 2010 and this is what I recommend Taking Aleve 4 hours prior to injection time then Tylenol 1 hour prior to injection. I had an MRI done in June there were two lesions more. Then I had another MRI done in September. I´m waiting on the results and will be going for a follow up visit in October to discuss the results and to see if the Extavia is producing the results expected. If not there will be a jump to IV Therapy.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: flu like symptoms, injection site bruising, mild side effects, injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
• Side effects

  None (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  A little hard to take

Dosage: 0.3 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: I feel as though this medication is working I am no longer taking any pre meds before injection time.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: flu like symptoms, injection site bruising, mild side effects, injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
• Side effects

  None (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Somewhat hard to take

Dosage: 0.3 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: The side effects have diminished, I have experienced very little during effects. For this I´m grateful. Although, I continue to take one Tylenol 500 mg. 1 hour prior to injection. This a downgrade of medication prior to injection from 2 Tylenol 500 mg 4 hours prior and 2 Aleve 1 hour prior . To be at this point took over a month.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: flu like symptoms, injection site bruising, mild side effects, injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (flu like symptoms, injection site bruising, injection site irritation, mild side effects, burning pain at injection site)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  A little hard to take

Dosage: 0.3 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: My side effects are calming down with my arm and leg injections and the bruising with my abdomen injection site are calming down as well.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: flu like symptoms, injection site bruising, mild side effects, injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (flu like symptoms, injection site bruising, injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  A little hard to take

Dosage: 0.3 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: Injection site bruising

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: flu like symptoms, injection site bruising, mild side effects, injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (flu like symptoms, injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  A little hard to take

Dosage: 0.3 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: Feb. 16 2010 Placed injection for the first time in Abdomen on right side Middle location: This was the first time that I have had a reaction such as this since beginning treatment with Extavis. My reaction was one hour after injection time of 8:30 P.M on 02/16/2010 1) Light Nausea 2) Difficulty sleeping was awake most of the night 3) Acid Reflux 4) Increase in headache discomfort This reaction lasted almost 20 hrs.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: flu like symptoms, injection site bruising, mild side effects, injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  A little hard to take

Dosage: 0.3 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: I have used Extavia seven times so far. I have not used the abdomen location for injections. I have used my left arm for the second time this is the only time that I felt a slight burn as the Extavia was going into my arm. I do follow a strict protocol before injection time 8:30 pm 4 hrs prior I take two Aleve then 1 hour prior to injection I take two 500 mg. Tylenol and bed by 10:00 pm this seems to have reduced any adverse reactions that others have had with Betaseron or Extavia.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: flu like symptoms, injection site bruising, mild side effects, injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
• Side effects

  None (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  A little hard to take

Dosage: 0.3 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: Extavia, is exactly the same as Betaseron there is no difference in the product except the price Betaseron $ 2,500.00 and Extavia $ 3,600.00 a month. They, Novartis, is under contract with Bayer. Novartis, has a PAP program where based on your income it can be no charge for the product the first year or there is a reduction in price based on your income. Here is their number: 866-925-2333 Monday through Friday 8am - 8pm EST What we have noticed is that the support team at Novartis ( Extavia ) is absolutely wonderful. If you ever have a question, any question call them, they will answer that question quickly or put you to the person that is handling that issue for you. Novartis has a program called: Extavia, Your Guide to Beginning Therapy We have watched the DVD several times even before receiving the Extavia. this very informative and carefully designed to answer questions you may have. I recommend watching the DVD again even when your doing this by yourself until your comfortable with the process of setting up the injection and the Auto injector. They were in touch with my Neurologist quickly and my supplies were sent before I knew it was coming. Next day FED EX. I received two packages separately one was the Auto Injector which your doctor has to prescribe, and then the vials that COME IN A BOX 15 VIALS. Injections are every other day. After receiving each box, Novartis, called to verify I received the package, within 10 minutes of each delivery. In addition, Novartis setś up a Nurse to come to your house to help you get started with the program and trains you in the use of injection therapy. Based on advice from other users of this product the following was recommended: Before using this product, this is what I did I set my Injection time for 8:30 PM Prior to this time I did this: 1) I took 2 tablets of Aleve to alleviate the side effectś. 4 hours ahead of injection time. 2) 1/2 hour prior to injection two Tylenol 500 mg each. About an 1 1/2 hours later I was in bed sleeping * This is with regards to the Auto Injector, USE IT !!!! the needle is very tiny 27 gauge needle. and looking at the whole shot it appears large and maybe, I don't want to do this. With the Auto Injector all your looking at is the plastic case and push the button count to 10 and it´s over. THIS IS SO EASY !!! I used this last night for the first time with no problem. AND EASED MY APPREHENSION ALOT... Side effects: Injection site is alittle tender to touch nothing severe. If anyone has a question JUST ASK please Iĺl respond Thank you Brian

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: flu like symptoms, injection site bruising, mild side effects, injection site irritation, burning pain at injection site