AVONEX injection tips

To work effectively, some medications must be injected, not taken in pill form. That is true of AVONEX, which is a drug given by intramuscular (IM) injection once a week. If you are having difficulties, talk to your healthcare provider or call AVONEX Services at 1.800.456.2255 for additional injection training by a nurse.

Here are some helpful hints to make your injection more manageable:

AVONEX injection tips:

Take your AVONEX out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before use, and allow it to reach room temperature.

Apply ice to skin around the area of the injection site for a couple of minutes. This can help reduce pain, swelling, and irritation. To keep the site sterile, apply ice before swabbing the area with an alcohol wipe. Allow alcohol to dry before injecting.

Keep your muscles relaxed. If injecting in the front thigh, keep your foot flat on the ground. For injecting the muscle on the outside of your thigh, turn your toes inward slightly to help relax the muscle.

Rotate injection sites to give your body a break. Keep track of where you inject each week by writing it down in a notebook.

Make 'injection day' special. Find ways to reward yourself for taking action against your multiple sclerosis (MS).

Find a supportive care partner who can give you your injections if you are having trouble self-injecting, or if you just need a break.

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