Managing Flu-like Symptoms

People starting treatment with AVONEX commonly experience temporary flu-like symptoms—which may include fever, chills, muscle aches or tiredness—that usually last a day after the injection. For many people, these symptoms lessen or go away over time. Keep in mind, however, that experiencing these symptoms does not mean you have the flu.

To lessen these symptoms, your doctor may decide it’s best for you to build up to a full dose of AVONEX over the first month, using a process called “titration.” A study has shown that people who titrate AVONEX experience fewer and milder flu-like symptoms.

While your doctor may use titration to help you reduce flu-like symptoms when you first start taking AVONEX, there are also other things you can do to help manage those symptoms on an ongoing basis, including:

• Drink plenty of water the day before, the day of, and the day after your injection.
• Ask your doctor about over-the-counter pain relievers you can try before and after taking AVONEX. He or she may suggest a nighttime pain reliever before you go to bed to help you sleep through any symptoms.
• Experiment with different times of the day for your injection. You may find that taking AVONEX in the morning or in the late afternoon is best, so that you’re asleep when any potential side effects peak.

In addition, many people may find that letting the medication get to room temperature before injecting makes the injection more comfortable.

If you have questions about managing flu-like symptoms, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also contact an AVONEX ActiveNurse™, who may help you find strategies that work for you.