Multiple Sclerosis :: Considering AVONEX

Only Interferon beta-1a therapies (AVONEX and Rebif^®) are indicated to reduce the number of relapses and slow the accumulation of physical disability. Interferon beta-1b (Betaseron^®) is only indicated for decreasing the number of relapses.

How does AVONEX® (Inteferon beta-1a) fight MS?

Cells in your immune system identify invaders such as viruses or bacteria and seek out and destroy the invaders. This activity is beneficial and necessary to help control infections.

But in diseases like MS, the immune system is not working properly. Instead of attacking foreign cells, the immune system attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

AVONEX is thought to help limit this immune response and control the damage to the nerve cells.

Benefits of AVONEX

AVONEX has been available for 10 years, and since 1998 it’s the #1 prescribed MS treatment in the U.S. and worldwide*. That means more people take AVONEX than any other MS treatment available.

You should choose AVONEX because it is effective for the long run. AVONEX has been proven effective for up to 3 years in clinical trials:

AVONEX is effective

AVONEX is the only once-weekly MS treatment proven to slow the progression of physical disability. In 2002, guidelines were published for physicians treating MS. These guidelines state, "Clearly, the most important therapeutic aim of any disease-modifying treatment of MS is to prevent or postpone long-term disability."

37% reduction in the risk of progression of physical disability at 2 years.

Physical disability is a physical impairment that limits one or more of your activities. That means that AVONEX may help people with MS maintain their current level of functioning longer.

AVONEX stays effective

AVONEX is shown to reduce the risk of a second relapse 44% better than placebo (a placebo is an inactive substance used in clinical trials as a guideline against which the drug being studied can be measured):

A relapse (also known as an attack or a flare-up) is a sudden worsening of an MS symptom or symptoms, or the appearance of new symptoms.
The symptoms of a relapse may include blurred vision, numbness, tingling, etc.

AVONEX^® (Interferon beta-1a) is shown to reduce the risk of a second attack 44% better than placebo

AVONEX slows the development of active brain lesions seen on MRI

AVONEX is the only once-weekly MS treatment proven effective in people with multiple sclerosis who have experienced a first relapse and have lesions consistent with MS on their MRI:

89% reduction in the number of new brain lesions at 2 years
91% reduction in the size of lesions at 18 months

Most healthcare providers use magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, to help diagnose and follow disease progression in multiple sclerosis. As MS develops, it produces lesions—signs of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord that appear as white spots on MRIs. The size and number of lesions indicate how much underlying “silent” damage MS is doing to the central nervous system.

The exact relationship between MRI findings and patient status is not known.

AVONEX is an effective treatment against MS, but like all MS treatments, there are side effects. Read the Important Safety Information about AVONEX to learn more.

AVONEX is easy to stay on

AVONEX offers convenient once-a-week dosing
4% quit taking AVONEX due to side effects over a 2-year period in a clinical study
AVONEX Services are available to help you get the most from treatment

AVONEX Side Effects

All multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments have the risk of developing side effects. When you start a treatment like AVONEX, it is important to consider both the benefits and the possible risks and to discuss any concerns you may have with your healthcare provider.

Sometimes interferons, including AVONEX, make people feel sad. If you are taking AVONEX, and feel unusually sad, you should tell a family member or friend right away and call your doctor as soon as possible.

Some people have had severe allergic reactions, a drop in their red or white blood cell levels, heart problems, changes in their thyroid function, or seizures.

Your liver may be affected by taking AVONEX and a few patients have developed severe liver injury. Your healthcare provider may ask you to have regular blood tests to make sure that your liver is working properly. If your skin or the whites of your eyes become yellow, or if you are bruising easily, you should call your doctor immediately.

AVONEX has not been studied in pregnant women. If you become pregnant while taking AVONEX, you should stop taking AVONEX immediately, tell your doctor, and consider enrolling in the AVONEX Pregnancy Registry by calling 1.800.456.2255.

Most people who take AVONEX have flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, and tiredness) early during the course of therapy. For many people, these symptoms lessen or go away over time. Talk to your doctor if these symptoms continue longer than the first few months of therapy, or if they are difficult to manage.

Since AVONEX was approved in 1996, healthcare providers have developed successful ways to manage some of the more common AVONEX side effects, such as flu-like symptoms.

You should discuss ways to manage any AVONEX side effects you may have with your healthcare provider.

For more information, refer to the patient Medication Guide in the full Product Information. This information is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider.

Few people quit due to AVONEX side effects

When evaluating treatment choices, the percentage of people who quit taking their MS treatment (the drop-off rates) in clinical studies can give you some idea of how others tolerate their treatment. According to clinical studies:

4% of people quit taking AVONEX over a 2-year period due to side effects
2% of people quit taking AVONEX after 8 years due to side effects

Injection site reactions

AVONEX is the only MS therapy delivered by an injection into the muscle (IM). All other injectable MS therapies are delivered under the skin (subcutaneous). In clinical studies, AVONEX showed a low incidence (3%) of injection-site reactions. In general, IM injections are associated with fewer injection-site reactions than injecting under the skin.

This was taken from the Avonex Website

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