AVONEX Overview

Not all MS therapies have the same benefits. AVONEX is the only once-a-week MS therapy proven to slow disability and reduce flare-ups. And it is effective after the first attack. One of the greatest benefits of starting and staying on AVONEX is that it keeps working for you over time.

How are you doing on AVONEX?
Your healthcare provider or nurse may be using the disability scale below to measure how you are doing on AVONEX. The scale measures disability progression by looking at areas such as:

• Brain function
• Sensory and motor symptoms
• Coordination skills
• Bowel and bladder function
• Visual symptoms

AVONEX slows down physical disability progression and helps keep you doing the things you have always done longer. AVONEX slowed down disability by 37% in a 2-year study. In a 5-year study, nearly 9 out of 10 patients taking AVONEX were still active.

AVONEX has been proven effective in clinical trials lasting up to 3 years.

AVONEX reduces flare-ups

AVONEX reduces the number of flare-ups (also called relapses or attacks) so you can go on with your daily life. During a flare-up, MS symptoms worsen or new symptoms arise. Cutting down the number of flare-ups you have helps you manage your MS symptoms and allows you to stay on track.

In people who have only had 1 flare-up, AVONEX cuts the risk of a second flare-up almost in half (44%). In people with multiple (9 or more) brain lesions, AVONEX reduces the risk of a second flare-up by 66%.

^* People with MS in whom effectiveness has been demonstrated include people who have experienced a first attack and have lesions consistent with MS on their MRI.
Please see the patient Medication Guide.

AVONEX works against brain atrophy and brain lesions.

The natural course of MS can result in a condition known as brain atrophy (or brain shrinkage). AVONEX can reduce the rate of brain atrophy by more than half. In the second year of a clinical trial, people taking AVONEX had 55% less brain shrinkage than those not on therapy.

Brain atrophy may affect your ability to stay active.

AVONEX also slows down the formation of harmful brain lesions and reduces the size of lesions by 91%. Your healthcare provider may be measuring the size and number of brain lesions on your MRI. These lesions are signs of how the disease has advanced. Brain lesions may affect your ability to perform everyday tasks.

Though studies suggest there is an impact, the exact relationship between MRI findings and your overall health is not fully understood.

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.

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