Get Informed: Avonex
Active Ingredient(s)
Avonex
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). It is believed to work by affecting the immune system, although its exact mechanism of action is unknown.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-18 6:19 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Avonex
- Interferon Beta-1A
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 17 May 1996
- Est US Patients*
- 210,400
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Avonex or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Avonex
There have been no alerts regarding Avonex during the past year.
Avonex Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Avonex used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 1,200 patients that use Avonex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Sclerosis | 100% | 
|
How well does Avonex work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 1,200 users taking Avonex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Avonex outweigh the bad things.
- 16%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Avonex.
Common Side Effects of Avonex
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 1,200 users taking Avonex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
68% of patients experience side-effects on Avonex
9% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Avonex
Most Common Side Effects...
-
FLU-Like Symptoms
-
Fatigue
-
Headache
-
Muscle Pain/Stiffness
-
Cold Sensitivity
-
Depression
-
Temperature Sensitivity
-
Skin/Nail Problems
-
Hot Flushes
-
Mood/Behavior Changes
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Avonex ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I was diagnosed in 1999 but only started taking Avonex a few years back after a relapse. I have been doing wonderfully since but discovered a few things (the hard way I might add!) along the way. I REALLY don't like the self injection but I found the closer I do to the center of my leg (alternating exact locations and legs weekly) the less painful it is going in. Also, I try to relax my leg completely and press down on either side of the injection site almost creating a little 'dome' of flesh; for some reason that also seems to help it from burning. I always pull it out of the fridge at LEAST an hour in advance and NEVER have alcohol the same day as my injection. One night, I had a single beer before an injection and the flu-like symptoms came on fast and furious; I'm not sure if it was directly linked but why take the chance? Anyway, I am walking in the MS Walk on November 7th and am thankful there is something like Avonex that hopefully is keeping this nasty disease in check. So far so good! Good luck everyone!
38 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-20 23:25:30
Question/Comment:
I haven't head anyone mention having severve depression problems with the Avonex how about in general with MS?
36 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-26 19:24:05
Answer/Reply:
It seems that the longer you are on avonex the less depression you have. I been on avonex for 5 years and I have notice a big decrease in my depression. Mike
61 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-22 14:26:00
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Avonex since 2001 and have an incredible jump in depression and anxiety things which I never dealt with before the medication. I am glad to hear that all of you are doing so well on it. I am currently in therapy for coping and was admitted to the hospital for the anxiety and depression. I am currently on about three medications for these things now. I also was diagnosed with Fibrymialgia in 2005. This causing chronic pain along with the MS which could also contributed to the depression. Hope you all continue to do well.
36 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-29 09:46:21
Question/Comment:
I WAS DIAGNOSED IN FEB 2000 AND WAS PUT ON AVONEX IN APRIL OF 2000. I GUESS IT IS DOING IT'S JOB BECAUSE IN TEN YEARS MY MS SYMPTOMS ARE STILL MANAGEABLE. MY QUESTION TO ANYONE IS - MY HUSBAND LOST HIS JOB W/OUR HEALTH & RX COVERAGE AND COBRA WILL NOT COVER ME. MY ONLY OPTION IS TO GO TO STRAIGHT MEDICARE D RX COVERAGE. WILL THEY COVER THE COST OF AVONEX???????? I KNOW WITHOUT RX COVERAGE IT IS OVER $1000.00 A MONTH.IF ANYONE OUT THERE KNOWS THE ANSWER PLEASE REPLY. THANKS
38 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-24 19:08:30
Answer/Reply:
Do you live in Indiana? My husband is self-employed and I can't get health insurance through regular insurance, so I get it through the state. It's called ICHIA. I'm a 50 year old female and have been on this insurance for 8 years. It does cover Avonex. If you do not live in Indiana, you might check with the state you live in to see if they have something like this.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-23 12:34:28
Answer/Reply:
the cash price of avonex is $33,000/year.
48 year old Male
Posted: 2009-10-16 14:03:21
Answer/Reply:
I believe Biogen has a plan to help with the cost based on income. You might check with the company.
61 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-07 19:51:08
Question/Comment:
I have tentatively been diagnosed with MS for over 20 years. I just don't fit all the parameters, but MS meds seem to work. My neurologist first started me on Copaxone in 1998 which literally turned me into a shambling zombie. Could not function in any way. Was put on Avonex and improved greatly. Had the usual listed amount of flu like side effects along with severe tooth chattering. I called the nurse line at Biogen asking for advice and it was suggested I leave the avonex at room temperature for 12 hours before taking it and since starting that have not had a single side effect. My DR checked first to see if this was a viable solution and supervised me the first 2 months and was amazed at how much better I was coping. Have told 3 others also on Avonex and they also say the side effects have disappeared almost 100%.
Have tried to get on clinical trials but live too far away from any center that has had any which is such a frustration. I hate taking shots, even without side effects, and developed a severe needle aversion that caused me to stop Avonex for nearly a year. The MS symptoms (relapses,pain, brain deterioration) became too severe so decided to go back. I want to take pills, but that isn't an option now.
64 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-21 17:31:28
Question/Comment:
I was told I had MS at the age of 52 in 2004.. I started treatment with Betasyron. I started having problems with injection site reaction . I changed to using Avonex about 1 year later. I did have severe flu-like symptoms that eventually improved. It was quite difficult going to work every week and even missing at least 1 and sometimes 2 days a week due to flu symptoms from my medication. My symptoms have improved but I do still have some symptoms and along with a relapse about once or twice a year. I am not really sure how well the Avonex is working? I do not seem to be getting any worse with the relapses but I do still have some problems with them. I would rather live with some side effects and hopefully my progression with the MS is being slowed down to allow me to live a more normal life and enjoy my family. It does help a great deal to drink a lot of water before and after the injection and to take 8hr Tylenol about 1 hour before my injection.
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-26 11:08:35
Answer/Reply:
yes i used avonex a few years ago... im on the beta stuff now.. never has flu like side effects.. just hated the long needle in muscle... if aspirin does help then ur out of luck..but a little tidbits for you... used to ice up the spot i was injecting..made it somewhat more bearable...FYI
54 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-02 17:36:11
Answer/Reply:
When do you take the shot? I take mine before bed time on Friday nights. That way if I'm sick, it will be at night and on the weekend. I've been lucky, I haven't been sick with the shot.
I've been on Avonex for 10 or 11 years now. I'm a 50 year old female. I also took Advil instead of Tylenol.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-23 12:46:14
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13
Patient Comments about
Avonex