Why Avonex?

Taken just once a week, AVONEX is the multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment that people stay on longer. So when you're thinking about multiple sclerosis treatments, choose AVONEX. AVONEX empowers you by effectively treating a range of the symptoms of MS:

• Reduces the number of flare-ups (relapses)
• Slows down physical disability
• Reduces brain lesions and the rate of brain atrophy
• Is easy to start on
• Is easy to stay

A trusted therapy for over 10 years, AVONEX is the ONLY MS therapy approved to be taken once a week. And since 1998, it has been the #1 prescribed MS therapy by healthcare providers in the U.S. and worldwide.

Reduce flare-ups

Flare-ups may cause physical disability. AVONEX reduces the number of flare-ups so you can go on with your daily life. And it starts working after the first attack. In people who have only had one flare-up, AVONEX reduces the risk of a second flare-up by almost half (44%). And that risk decreases even more in people who have multiple (9 or more) brain lesions. AVONEX reduces their risk of having 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.

Delay physical disability

MS progresses over time, creating nerve damage that results in disability that can affect your day-to-day routine. By choosing an effective treatment like AVONEX, it is possible to slow physical disability and help retain the daily functions that keep you in control of your life. AVONEX slowed down physical disability by 37% in a 2-year study.

How healthcare providers measure disability progression

Your healthcare provider may use the scale below to measure your disability. The scale looks at areas such as:

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

In a 5-year study, nearly 9 out of 10 people taking AVONEX stayed below an EDSS score of 3.0. That means they were still active throughout their daily lives.

Nearly 9 out of 10 patients remained fully functional after 5 years.

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

Reduce brain lesions

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

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

Reduce brain atrophy

The natural course of MS can result in a condition known as brain atrophy. It is a condition in which you actually lose brain tissue.

Brain atrophy may affect your ability to stay active.

In the second year of a clinical trial, people taking AVONEX had 55% less brain atrophy than people not on therapy.

Easy to start on

AVONEX has an easy dosing schedule - one injection, once a week - giving you the power to choose the day that is right for you.

With training, you or your care partner can self-administer AVONEX at home. And with the AVONEX prefilled syringe, preparing and administering the injection is simple and convenient.

Easy to stay on

Very few people stop taking AVONEX because of side effects such as flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches and tiredness).

In a 2-year study, very few people (4%) stopped taking AVONEX due to side effects.

In a longer, 8-year follow-up study, even fewer people (2%) stopped taking AVONEX due to side effects.

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