Importance of Early Treatment

Even if you have had only one flare-up or notice only a few signs of MS, it is still important to start MS treatment when you are first diagnosed. Very often, some symptoms of MS are "invisible." For example, lesions can form in your brain and spinal cord that may affect your ability to do certain things.

Starting MS treatment when you are first diagnosed may help reduce physical disability progression so you can stay active and able longer.

Starting AVONEX early may reduce your risk of a second MS flare-up.

Flare-ups may cause physical disability. Once-a-week AVONEX can reduce your number of flare-ups, letting you go on with your daily life.

In a 3-year study, the risk of a second flare-up was reduced by 44% when people started AVONEX within 30 days of a first flare-up (compared with people who were not treated).

In the 10-year follow-up study, ^a early MS treatment with AVONEX continued to reduce the risk of a second flare-up by 40% ^b compared with those who delayed treatment for approximately 2.5 years.

^a A 10-year follow-up of a 3-year study of people who had a first attack and lesions consistent with MS on their MRIs.
^b This includes all people at 10 years regardless of whether they were still taking AVONEX.

FDA-approved labeling includes up to 3 years of clinical data.