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| Pronunciation |
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 (in
ter FEER on BAY ta won
aye) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Avonex®; Rebif® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Interferon |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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If you have an allergy to interferon beta-1a or any other part of
this medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
If you are breast-feeding. |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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This medicine is used to treat multiple
sclerosis. |
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| How does it work? |
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Interferon beta-1a helps the body's immune system fight multiple
sclerosis.
It may decrease the number of attacks and the
disabilities. |
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| How is it best taken? |
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This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle once a week.
Take this medicine at bedtime to help with flu-like symptoms.
Wash your hands before and after use.
Follow instructions closely if you or a family member are giving the
shot at home.
Throw away needles in needle/sharp disposal box and return box to
healthcare provider when full. |
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and
return to your regular schedule.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Do not change dose, brand, or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider. |
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider. The
flu-like side effects of interferon may be stressful to heart patients.
If you have mental illness, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning
beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant. |
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
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Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes,
aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.
Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in
thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require
you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects
you.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Diarrhea.
Inability to sleep. |
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| What should I monitor? |
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Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
Follow up with healthcare provider. |
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5
degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough,
increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that
will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness,
emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in
life.
Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
Severe dizziness or passing out.
Difficulty breathing.
Any rash.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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Store unopened vials in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Protect from heat.
Throw away any unused portion of opened vial after use.
Store unopened Avonex® vials at room
temperature. Throw away after 1 month.
Protect Rebif® from
light. |
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| General statements |
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Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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