Important Information About AVONEX

Indication:
AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to slow the accumulation of physical disability and decrease the frequency of clinical exacerbations.  Patients with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has been demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with multiple sclerosis.

Potential serious side effects:

• AVONEX should be used with caution in patients with depression or other mood disorders. Patients treated with AVONEX should be advised to report immediately any symptoms of depression and/or suicidal ideation to their prescribing physicians.
• Rare cases of anaphylaxis have been reported. Other allergic reactions have included dyspnea, orolingual edema, skin rash and urticaria.
• Decreased peripheral blood counts in all cell lines, including rare pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia, have been reported from post-marketing experience.
• Severe hepatic injury, including cases of hepatic failure, has been reported rarely in patients taking AVONEX. Patients should be monitored for signs of hepatic injury and caution exercised when AVONEX is used concomitantly with other drugs associated with hepatic injury.

Precautions should be taken with the following:

• Caution should be exercised when administering AVONEX to patients with pre-existing seizure disorders.
• Patients with cardiac disease, such as angina, congestive heart failure, or arrhythmia, should be closely monitored for worsening of their clinical condition during initiation and continued treatment with AVONEX.
• Routine periodic blood chemistry and hematology tests are recommended during treatment with AVONEX.
• AVONEX is not recommended for use in pregnant women. If a woman becomes pregnant or plans to become pregnant while taking AVONEX, she should be informed of the potential hazards to the fetus, and discontinuation of AVONEX therapy should be considered.

Common Side Effects:

• The most common side effects associated with AVONEX treatment are flu-like symptoms including myalgia, fever, fatigue, headache, chills, nausea, vomiting, pain and asthenia.

Please see the complete prescribing information at the bottom of this page.

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