AVONEX®
(Interferon beta-1a) IM Injection
AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) is a 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of AVONEX® is identical to that of natural human interferon beta.
Using the World Health Organization (WHO) natural interferon beta standard, Second International Standard for Interferon, Human Fibroblast (Gb-23-902-531), AVONEX® has a specific activity of approximately 200 million international units (IU) of antiviral activity per mg of Interferon beta-1a determined specifically by an in vitro cytopathic effect bioassay using lung carcinoma cells (A549) and Encephalomyocarditis virus (ECM). AVONEX® 30 mcg contains approximately 6 million IU of antiviral activity using this method. The activity against other standards is not known. Comparison of the activity of AVONEX® with other Interferon betas is not appropriate, because of differences in the reference standards and assays used to measure activity.
A vial of AVONEX® is formulated as a sterile, white to off-white lyophilized powder for intramuscular injection after reconstitution with supplied diluent (Sterile Water for Injection, USP). Each vial of reconstituted AVONEX® contains 30 mcg of Interferon beta-1a; 15 mg Albumin (Human), USP; 5.8 mg Sodium Chloride, USP; 5.7 mg Dibasic Sodium Phosphate, USP; and 1.2 mg Monobasic Sodium Phosphate, USP, in 1.0 mL at a pH of approximately 7.3.
A prefilled syringe of AVONEX® is formulated as a sterile liquid for intramuscular injection. Each 0.5 mL (30 mcg dose) of AVONEX® in a prefilled glass syringe contains 30 mcg of Interferon beta-1a, 0.79 mg Sodium Acetate Trihydrate, USP; 0.25 mg Glacial Acetic Acid, USP; 15.8 mg Arginine Hydrochloride, USP; and 0.025 mg Polysorbate 20 in Water for Injection, USP at a pH of approximately 4.8.
Last updated on RxList: 2/21/2008
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. Safety and efficacy in patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis have not been established.
The recommended dosage of AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) is 30 mcg injected intramuscularly once a week.
AVONEX® is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of a physician. Patients may self-inject only if their physician determines that it is appropriate and with medical follow-up, as necessary, after proper training in intramuscular injection technique. Sites for injection include the thigh or upper arm (see Medication Guide).
A 25 gauge, 1“ needle for intramuscular injection may be substituted for the 23 gauge, 1 ¼” needle by the prescribing physician, if deemed appropriate.
Use appropriate aseptic technique during the preparation of AVONEX® . To reconstitute lyophilized AVONEX® , use a sterile syringe and MICRO PIN® to inject 1.1 mL of the supplied diluent, Sterile Water for Injection, USP, into the AVONEX® vial. Gently swirl the vial of AVONEX® to dissolve the drug completely. DO NOT SHAKE. The reconstituted solution should be clear to slightly yellow without particles. Inspect the reconstituted product visually prior to use. Discard the product if it contains particulate matter or is discolored. Each vial of reconstituted solution contains 30 mcg/1.0 mL Interferon beta-1a.
Withdraw 1.0 mL of reconstituted solution from the vial into a sterile syringe. Replace the cover on the MICRO PIN®, attach the sterile needle and inject the solution intramuscularly. The AVONEX® and diluent vials are for single-use only; unused portions should be discarded.
The AVONEX® prefilled syringe should be held upright (cap faces up). Remove the cap by bending it at a 90° angle until it snaps free. Attach the needle and inject the solution intramuscularly. The AVONEX® prefilled syringe is for single-use only.
A vial of AVONEX® is supplied as a lyophilized powder in a single-use vial containing 33 mcg (6.6 million IU) of Interferon beta-1a; 16.5 mg Albumin (Human), USP; 6.4 mg Sodium Chloride, USP; 6.3 mg Dibasic Sodium Phosphate, USP; and 1.3 mg Monobasic Sodium Phosphate, USP, and is preservative-free. Diluent is supplied in a single-use vial (Sterile Water for Injection, USP).
AVONEX® lyophilized vials are available in the following package configuration (NDC 59627-001-03): A package containing four Administration Dose Packs (each containing one vial of AVONEX® , one 10 mL diluent vial, two alcohol wipes, one gauze pad, one 3 mL syringe, one MICRO PIN®* vial access pin, one 23 gauge, 1¼ inch needle, and one adhesive bandage).
A prefilled syringe of AVONEX® is supplied as a sterile liquid albumin-free formulation containing 30 mcg of Interferon beta-1a, 0.79 mg Sodium Acetate Trihydrate, USP; 0.25 mg Glacial Acetic Acid, USP; 15.8 mg Arginine Hydrochloride, USP; and 0.025 mg Polysorbate 20 in Water for Injection, USP. Each prefilled glass syringe contains 0.5 mL for IM injection.
AVONEX® prefilled syringes are available in the following package configuration (NDC 59627-002-05): A package containing four Administration Dose Packs (each containing one single-use syringe of AVONEX® and one 23 gauge, 1¼ inch needle), and a recloseable accessory pouch containing 4 alcohol wipes, 4 gauze pads, and 4 adhesive bandages.
Vials of AVONEX® should be stored in a 2-8°C (36-46°F) refrigerator. Should refrigeration be unavailable, vials of AVONEX® can be stored at 25°C (77°F) for a period of up to 30 days. DO NOT EXPOSE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. DO NOT FREEZE. Protect from light. Do not use beyond the expiration date stamped on the vial. Following reconstitution, it is recommended the product be used as soon as possible within 6 hours stored at 2-8°C (36-46°F). DO NOT FREEZE RECONSTITUTED AVONEX® .
AVONEX® in prefilled syringes should be stored in a 2-8°C (36-46°F) refrigerator. Once removed from the refrigerator, AVONEX® in a prefilled syringe should be allowed to warm to room temperature (about 30 minutes). Do not use external heat sources such as hot water to warm AVONEX® in a prefilled syringe. Should refrigeration be unavailable, AVONEX® in a prefilled syringe can be stored at ≤ 25°C (77°F) for a period up to 7 days. Once the product is removed from the refrigerator, it must not be stored above 25°C (77°F). If the product has been exposed to conditions other than those recommended, DISCARD THE PRODUCT and DO NOT USE. DO NOT EXPOSE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. DO NOT FREEZE. Protect from light. Do not use beyond the expiration date stamped on the syringe.
AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a), Manufactured by: BIOGEN IDEC INC. 14 Cambridge Center Cambridge, MA 02142 USA, ©2006 Biogen Idec Inc. All rights reserved. 1-800-456-2255, U.S. Patent Pending, I63005-9 (Issue Date XX/2006), Rx only, *Micro Pin® is the trademark of B. Braun Medical Inc. FDA revision date: 2/2/2007
Last updated on RxList: 2/21/2008
Depression, suicidal ideation, and new or worsening other psychiatric disorders have been observed to be increased in patients using interferon compounds including AVONEX® (see WARNINGS: Depression and Suicide). Anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions have been reported in patients using AVONEX® (see WARNINGS: Anaphylaxis). Decreased peripheral blood counts have been reported in patients using AVONEX® (see WARNINGS: Decreased Peripheral Blood Counts). Hepatic injury, including hepatic failure, hepatitis, and elevated serum hepatic enzyme levels, has been reported in post-marketing experience (see WARNINGS: Hepatic Injury). Seizures, cardiovascular adverse events, and autoimmune disorders also have been reported in association with the use of AVONEX® (see PRECAUTIONS).
The adverse reactions most commonly reported in patients associated with the use of AVONEX® were flu-like and other symptoms occurring within hours to days following an injection. Symptoms can include myalgia, fever, fatigue, headaches, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients have experienced paresthesias, hypertonia and myasthenia.
The most frequently reported adverse reactions resulting in clinical intervention (e.g., discontinuation of AVONEX® , or the need for concomitant medication to treat an adverse reaction symptom) were flu-like symptoms and depression.
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of AVONEX® cannot be directly compared to rates in clinical trials of other drugs and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The data described below reflect exposure to AVONEX® in 351 patients, including 319 patients exposed for 6 months, and 288 patients exposed for greater than one year in placebo-controlled trials. The mean age of patients receiving AVONEX® was 35 years, 74% were women and 89% were Caucasian. Patients received either 30 mcg AVONEX® or placebo.
Table 3 enumerates adverse events and selected laboratory abnormalities that occurred at an incidence of at least 2% higher frequency in AVONEX® -treated subjects than was observed in the placebo group. Reported adverse events have been classified using standard COSTART terms.
Table 3 : Adverse Events and Selected Laboratory Abnormalities
in the Placebo-Controlled Studies
| Adverse Event | Placebo (N = 333) |
AVONEX® (N = 351) |
| Body as a Whole | ||
| Headache | 55% | 58% |
| Flu-like symptoms (otherwise unspecified) | 29% | 49% |
| Pain | 21% | 23% |
| Asthenia | 18% | 24% |
| Fever | 9% | 20% |
| Chills | 5% | 19% |
| Abdominal pain | 6% | 8% |
| Injection site pain | 6% | 8% |
| Infection | 4% | 7% |
| Injection site inflammation | 2% | 6% |
| Chest pain | 2% | 5% |
| Injection site reaction | 1% | 3% |
| Toothache | 1% | 3% |
| Nervous System | ||
| Depression | 14% | 18% |
| Dizziness | 12% | 14% |
| Respiratory System | ||
| Upper respiratory tract infection | 12% | 14% |
| Sinusitis | 12% | 14% |
| Bronchitis | 5% | 8% |
| Digestive System | ||
| Nausea | 19% | 23% |
| Musculoskeletal System | ||
| Myalgia | 22% | 29% |
| Arthralgia | 6% | 9% |
| Urogenital | ||
| Urinary tract infection | 15% | 17% |
| Urine constituents abnormal | 0% | 3% |
| Skin and Appendages | ||
| Alopecia | 2% | 4% |
| Special Senses | ||
| Eye disorder | 2% | 4% |
| Hemic and Lymphatic System | ||
| Injection site ecchymosis | 4% | 6% |
| Anemia | 1% | 4% |
| Cardiovascular System | ||
| Migraine | 3% | 5% |
| Vasodilation | 0% | 2% |
No AVONEX® -treated patients attempted suicide in the two placebo-controlled studies. In Study 2, AVONEX® -treated patients were more likely to experience depression than placebo-treated patients (20% in AVONEX® group vs. 13% in placebo group). The incidences of depression in the placebo-treated and AVONEX® -treated patients in Study 1 were similar. In Study 1, suicidal tendency was seen more frequently in AVONEX® -treated patients (4% in AVONEX® group vs. 1% in placebo group) (see WARNINGS).
Seizures have been reported in 4 of 351 AVONEX® -treated patients in the placebo-controlled studies, compared to none in the placebo-treated patients (see PRECAUTIONS: Seizures).
The following adverse events have been identified and reported during post-approval use of AVONEX® : New or worsening other psychiatric disorders, and anaphylaxis (see WARNINGS). Autoimmune disorders including autoimmune hepatitis, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, hyper- and hypothyroidism, and seizures in patients without prior history (see PRECAUTIONS).
Infrequent reports of congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure with rare cases being temporally related to the administration of AVONEX® (see PRECAUTIONS: Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure).
Decreased peripheral blood counts in all cell lines, including rare pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia (see WARNINGS: Decreased Peripheral Blood Counts). Some cases of thrombocytopenia have had nadirs below 10,000/μL. Some of these cases reoccur upon rechallenge.
Hepatic injury, including hepatic failure and elevated serum hepatic enzyme levels, some of which have been severe, has been reported post-marketing (see WARNINGS: Hepatic Injury).
Meno- and metrorrhagia, rash (including vesicular rash), and rare cases of injection site abscess or cellulitis that may require surgical intervention have also been reported in post-marketing experience.
Because reports of these reactions are voluntary and the population is of an uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency of the event or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
AVONEX® has also been evaluated in 290 patients with diseases other than multiple sclerosis, primarily chronic viral hepatitis B and C, in which the doses studied ranged from 15 mcg to 75 mcg, given SC, 3 times a week, for up to 6 months. Inflammation at the site of the subcutaneous injection was observed in 52% of treated patients in these studies. Subcutaneous injections were also associated with the following local reactions: injection site necrosis, injection site atrophy, injection site edema and injection site hemorrhage. None of the above was observed in the multiple sclerosis patients participating in Study 1. Injection site edema and injection site hemorrhage were observed in multiple sclerosis patients participating in Study 2.
As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity. In recent studies assessing immunogenicity in multiple sclerosis patients administered AVONEX® for at least 1 year, 5% (21 of 390 patients) showed the presence of neutralizing antibodies at one or more times. The clinical significance of neutralizing antibodies to AVONEX® is unknown.
These data reflect the percentage of patients whose test results were considered positive for antibodies to AVONEX® using a two-tiered assay (ELISA binding assay followed by an antiviral cytopathic effect assay), and are highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of neutralizing activity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to AVONEX® with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.
Anaphylaxis has been reported as a rare complication of AVONEX® use. Other allergic reactions have included dyspnea, orolingual edema, skin rash and urticaria (see WARNINGS: Anaphylaxis).
There is no evidence that abuse or dependence occurs with AVONEX® therapy. However, the risk of dependence has not been systematically evaluated.
No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted with AVONEX® . In the placebo-controlled studies in multiple sclerosis, corticosteroids or ACTH were administered for treatment of exacerbations in some patients concurrently receiving AVONEX® . In addition, some patients receiving AVONEX® were also treated with anti-depressant therapy and/or oral contraceptive therapy. No unexpected adverse events were associated with these concomitant therapies. However, the potential for hepatic injury should be considered when AVONEX® is used in combination with other products associated with hepatic injury, or when new agents are added to the regimen of patients already on AVONEX® (see WARNINGS: Hepatic Injury).
Last updated on RxList: 2/21/2008
AVONEX® should be used with caution in patients with depression or other mood disorders, conditions that are common with multiple sclerosis.Depression and suicide have been reported to occur with increased frequency in patients receiving interferon compounds, including AVONEX® . Patients treated with AVONEX® should be advised to report immediately any symptoms of depression and/or suicidal ideation to their prescribing physicians. If a patient develops depression or other severe psychiatric symptoms,cessation of AVONEX® therapy should be considered. In Study 2, AVONEX® -treated patients were more likely to experience depression than placebo-treated patients. An equal incidence of depression was seen in the placebo-treated and AVONEX® -treated patients in Study 1. Additionally, there have been post-marketing reports of depression, suicidal ideation and/or development of new or worsening of pre-existing other psychiatric disorders, including psychosis. Some of these patients improved upon cessation of AVONEX® dosing.
Anaphylaxis has been reported as a rare complication of AVONEX® use. Other allergic reactions have included dyspnea, orolingual edema, skin rash and urticaria (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).
Decreased peripheral blood counts in all cell lines, including rare pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia, have been reported from post-marketing experience (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Some cases of thrombocytopenia have had nadirs below 10,000/μL. Some cases reoccur with rechallenge (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Patients should be monitored for signs of these disorders (see Precautions: Laboratory Tests).
Severe hepatic injury, including cases of hepatic failure, has been reported rarely in patients taking AVONEX®. Asymptomatic elevation of hepatic transaminases has also been reported, and in some patients has recurred upon rechallenge with AVONEX® . In some cases, these events have occurred in the presence of other drugs that have been associated with hepatic injury. The potential risk of AVONEX® used in combination with known hepatotoxic drugs or other products (e.g. alcohol) should be considered prior to AVONEX® administration, or when adding new agents to the regimen of patients already on AVONEX® . Patients should be monitored for signs of hepatic injury (see PRECAUTIONS: Laboratory Tests).
The lyophilized vial of AVONEX® contains albumin, a derivative of human blood. Based on effective donor screening and product manufacturing processes, it carries an extremely remote risk for transmission of viral diseases. A theoretical risk for transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) also is considered extremely remote. No cases of transmission of viral diseases or CJD have been identified for albumin. The prefilled syringe of AVONEX® does not contain albumin.
Caution should be exercised when administering AVONEX® to patients with pre-existing seizure disorders. In the two placebo-controlled studies in multiple sclerosis, 4 patients receiving AVONEX® experienced seizures, while no seizures occurred in the placebo group. Three of these 4 patients had no prior history of seizure (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).It is not known whether these events were related to the effects of multiple sclerosis alone, to AVONEX® , or to a combination of both. The effect of AVONEX® administration on the medical management of patients with seizure disorder is unknown.
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® . While AVONEX® does not have any known direct-acting cardiac toxicity, during the post-marketing period infrequent cases of congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure have been reported in patients without known predisposition to these events, and without other known etiologies being established. In rare cases, these events have been temporally related to the administration of AVONEX® . In some of these instances recurrence upon rechallenge was observed.
Autoimmune disorders of multiple target organs have been reported post-marketing including idiopathic thrombocytopenia, hyper- and hypothyroidism, and rare cases of autoimmune hepatitis have also been reported. Patients should be monitored for signs of these disorders (see PRECAUTIONS: Laboratory Tests) and appropriate treatment implemented when observed.
All patients should be instructed to read the AVONEX® Medication Guide supplied to them. Patients should be cautioned not to change the dosage or the schedule of administration without medical consultation.
Patients should be informed of the most serious (see WARNINGS) and the most common adverse events associated with AVONEX® administration, including symptoms associated with flu syndrome (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Symptoms of flu syndrome are most prominent at the initiation of therapy and decrease in frequency with continued treatment. Concurrent use of analgesics and/or antipyretics may help ameliorate flu-like symptoms on treatment days.
Patients should be cautioned to report depression or suicidal ideation (see WARNINGS). Patients should be advised about the abortifacient potential of AVONEX® (see Precautions: Pregnancy - Teratogenic Effects). If a woman becomes pregnant while taking AVONEX® , she should be advised to consider enrolling in the AVONEX® Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-800-456-2255.
When a physician determines that AVONEX® can be used outside of the physician's office, persons who will be administering AVONEX® should receive instruction in reconstitution and injection, including the review of the injection procedures. If a patient is to self-administer, the physical ability of that patient to self-inject intramuscularly should be assessed. The first injection should be performed under the supervision of a qualified health care professional. A puncture-resistant container for disposal of needles and syringes should be used. Patients should be instructed in the technique and importance of proper syringe and needle disposal and be cautioned against reuse of these items.
In addition to those laboratory tests normally required for monitoring patients with multiple sclerosis, complete blood and differential white blood cell counts, platelet counts, and blood chemistries, including liver function tests, are recommended during AVONEX® therapy (see WARNINGS: Decreased Peripheral Blood Counts and PRECAUTIONS: Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure, and Autoimmune Disorders). During the placebo-controlled studies in multiple sclerosis, these tests were performed at least every 6 months. There were no significant differences between the placebo and AVONEX® groups in the incidence of liver enzyme elevation, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia. However, these are known to be dose-related laboratory abnormalities associated with the use of interferons. Patients with myelosuppression may require more intensive monitoring of complete blood cell counts, with differential and platelet counts. Thyroid function should be monitored periodically. If patients have or develop symptoms of thyroid dysfunction (hypo- or hyperthyroidism), thyroid function tests should be performed according to standard medical practice.
Carcinogenesis: No carcinogenicity data for AVONEX® are available in animals or humans.
Mutagenesis: AVONEX® was not mutagenic when tested in the Ames bacterial test and in an in vitro cytogenetic assay in human lymphocytes in the presence and absence of metabolic activation. These assays are designed to detect agents that interact directly with and cause damage to cellular DNA. AVONEX® is a glycosylated protein that does not directly bind to DNA.
Impairment of Fertility: No studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of AVONEX® on fertility in normal women or women with multiple sclerosis. It is not known whether AVONEX® can affect human reproductive capacity.
Menstrual irregularities were observed in monkeys administered AVONEX® at a dose 100 times the recommended weekly human dose (based upon a body surface area comparison). Anovulation and decreased serum progesterone levels were also noted transiently in some animals. These effects were reversible after discontinuation of drug.
Treatment of monkeys with AVONEX® at 2 times the recommended weekly human dose (based upon a body surface area comparison) had no effects on cycle duration or ovulation.
The accuracy of extrapolating animal doses to human doses is not known. In the placebo-controlled studies in multiple sclerosis, 5% of patients receiving placebo and 6% of patients receiving AVONEX® experienced menstrual disorder. If menstrual irregularities occur in humans, it is not known how long they will persist following treatment.
Pregnancy Category C: The reproductive toxicity of AVONEX® has not been studied in animals or humans. In pregnant monkeys given AVONEX® at 100 times the recommended weekly human dose (based upon a body surface area comparison), no teratogenic or other adverse effects on fetal development were observed. Abortifacient activity was evident following 3 to 5 doses at this level. No abortifacient effects were observed in monkeys treated at 2 times the recommended weekly human dose (based upon a body surface area comparison). Although no teratogenic effects were seen in these studies, it is not known if teratogenic effects would be observed in humans. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with interferons 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.
If a woman becomes pregnant while taking AVONEX® , consider enrolling her in the AVONEX® Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-800-456-2255.
It is not known whether AVONEX® is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential of serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to either discontinue nursing or to discontinue AVONEX® .
Safety and effectiveness of AVONEX® in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not been evaluated.
Clinical studies of AVONEX® did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently than younger patients.
Last updated on RxList: 5/1/2008
Safety of doses higher than 60 mcg once a week have not been adequately evaluated. The maximum amount of AVONEX® that can be safely administered has not been determined.
AVONEX® is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to natural or recombinant interferon beta, or any other component of the formulation.
The lyophilized vial formulation of AVONEX® is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to albumin (human).
Last updated on RxList: 2/21/2008
Interferons are a family of naturally occurring proteins and glycoproteins that are produced by eukaryotic cells in response to viral infection and other biological inducers. Interferon beta, one member of this family, is produced by various cell types including fibroblasts and macrophages. Natural interferon beta and Interferon beta-1a are glycosylated, with each containing a single N-linked complex carbohydrate moiety. Glycosylation of other proteins is known to affect their stability, activity, aggregation, biodistribution, and half-life in blood. However, the effects of glycosylation of interferon beta on these properties have not been fully defined.
Interferons are cytokines that mediate antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities in response to viral infection and other biological inducers. Three major interferons have been distinguished: alpha, beta, and gamma. Interferons alpha and beta form the Type I class of interferons, and interferon gamma is a Type II interferon. These interferons have overlapping but clearly distinct biological activities.
Interferon beta exerts its biological effects by binding to specific receptors on the surface of human cells. This binding initiates a complex cascade of intracellular events that leads to the expression of numerous interferon-induced gene products and markers. These include 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, β2-microglobulin, and neopterin. These products have been measured in the serum and cellular fractions of blood collected from patients treated with AVONEX® .
The specific interferon-induced proteins and mechanisms by which AVONEX® exerts its effects in multiple sclerosis have not been fully defined. Clinical studies conducted in multiple sclerosis patients showed that interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels in cerebrospinal fluid were increased in patients treated with AVONEX® compared to placebo. Serum IL-10 levels were increased 48 hours after intramuscular (IM) injection of AVONEX® and remained elevated for 1 week. However, no relationship has been established between absolute levels of IL-10 and clinical outcome in multiple sclerosis.
Pharmacokinetics of AVONEX® in multiple sclerosis patients have not been evaluated. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of AVONEX® in healthy subjects following doses of 30 mcg through 75 mcg have been investigated. Serum levels of AVONEX® as measured by antiviral activity are slightly above detectable limits following a 30 mcg IM dose, and increase with higher doses.
After an IM dose, serum levels of AVONEX® typically peak between 3 and 15 hours and then decline at a rate consistent with a 10 hour elimination half-life. Serum levels of AVONEX® may be sustained after IM administration due to prolonged absorption from the IM site. Systemic exposure, as determined by AUC and Cmax values, is greater following IM than subcutaneous (SC) administration.
Subcutaneous administration of AVONEX® should not be substituted for intramuscular administration. Subcutaneous and intramuscular administration have been observed to have non-equivalent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters following administration to healthy volunteers.
Biological response markers (e.g., neopterin and β2-microglobulin) are induced by AVONEX® following parenteral doses of 15 mcg through 75 mcg in healthy subjects and treated patients. Biological response marker levels increase within 12 hours of dosing and remain elevated for at least 4 days. Peak biological response marker levels are typically observed 48 hours after dosing. The relationship of serum AVONEX® levels or levels of these induced biological response markers to the mechanisms by which AVONEX® exerts its effects in multiple sclerosis is unknown.
The clinical effects of AVONEX® in multiple sclerosis were studied in two randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with multiple sclerosis.1,2 Safety and efficacy of treatment with AVONEX® beyond 3 years is not known.
In Study 1, 301 patients received either 30 mcg of AVONEX® (n=158) or placebo (n=143) by IM injection once weekly. Patients were entered into the trial over a 2½ year period, received injections for up to 2 years, and continued to be followed until study completion. Two hundred eighty-two patients completed 1 year on study, and 172 patients completed 2 years on study. There were 144 patients treated with AVONEX® for more than 1 year, 115 patients for more than 18 months and 82 patients for 2 years.
All patients had a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis of at least 1 year duration and had at least 2 exacerbations in the 3 years prior to study entry (or 1 per year if the duration of disease was less than 3 years). At entry, study participants were without exacerbation during the prior 2 months and had Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS3) scores ranging from 1.0 to 3.5. Patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis were excluded from this study.
The primary outcome assessment was time to progression in disability, measured as an increase in the EDSS score of at least 1.0 point that was sustained for at least 6 months. An increase in EDSS score reflects accumulation of disability. This endpoint was used to ensure that progression reflected permanent increase in disability rather than a transient effect due to an exacerbation.
Secondary outcomes included exacerbation frequency and results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans including gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced lesion number and volume and T2-weighted (proton density) lesion volume. Additional secondary endpoints included 2 upper limb (tested in both arms) and 3 lower limb function tests.
Twenty-three of the 301 patients (8%) discontinued treatment prematurely. Of these, 1 patient treated with placebo (1%) and 6 patients treated with AVONEX® (4%) discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Thirteen of these 23 patients remained on study and were evaluated for clinical endpoints.
Figure 1: Onset of Sustained Disability Progression by Time
on Study (Kaplan-Meier Methodology)
 |
Note: Disability progression represents at least a 1.0 point increase in EDSS score sustained for at least 6 months.
Time to onset of sustained progression in disability was significantly longer in patients treated with AVONEX® than in patients receiving placebo (p = 0.02). The Kaplan-Meier plots of these data are presented in Figure 1. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the percentage of patients progressing by the end of 2 years was 34.9% for placebo-treated patients and 21.9% for AVONEX® -treated patients, indicating a slowing of the disease process. This represents a 37% relative reduction in the risk of accumulating disability in the AVONEX® -treated group compared to the placebo-treated group.
Figure 2: Confirmed EDSS Change from Study Entry to End of
Study
 |
The distribution of confirmed EDSS change from study entry (baseline) to the end of the study is shown in Figure 2. There was a statistically significant difference between treatment groups in confirmed change for patients with at least 2 scheduled visits (136 placebo-treated and 150 AVONEX® -treated patients; p = 0.006; see Table 1).
The rate and frequency of exacerbations were determined as secondary outcomes. For all patients included in the study, irrespective of time on study, the annual exacerbation rate was 0.67 per year in the AVONEX® -treated group and 0.82 per year in the placebo-treated group (p = 0.04).
AVONEX® treatment significantly decreased the frequency of exacerbations in the subset of patients who were enrolled in the study for at least 2 years (87 placebo-treated patients and 85 AVONEX® -treated patients; p = 0.03; see Table 1).
Gd-enhanced and T2-weighted (proton density) MRI scans of the brain were obtained in most patients at baseline and at the end of 1 and 2 years of treatment. Gd-enhancing lesions seen on brain MRI scans represent areas of breakdown of the blood brain barrier thought to be secondary to inflammation. Patients treated with AVONEX® demonstrated significantly lower Gd-enhanced lesion number after 1 and 2 years of treatment (p 0.05; see Table 1). The volume of Gd-enhanced lesions was also analyzed, and showed similar treatment effects (p ≤ 0.03). Percentage change in T2-weighted lesion volume from study entry to Year 1 was significantly lower in AVONEX® -treated than placebo-treated patients (p = 0.02). A significant difference in T2-weighted lesion volume change was not seen between study entry and Year 2.
The exact relationship between MRI findings and the clinical status of patients is unknown. The prognostic significance of MRI findings in these studies has not been evaluated.
Of the limb function tests, only 1 demonstrated a statistically significant difference between treatment groups (favoring AVONEX® ). A summary of the effects of AVONEX® on the clinical and MRI endpoints of this study is presented in Table 1.
Table 1 : Clinical and MRI Endpoints in Study 1
| Endpoint | Placebo | AVONEX® | P-Value |
| PRIMARY ENDPOINT: | |||
| Time to sustained progression in disability (N: 143, 158)1 | See Figure 1 | 0.022 | |
| Percentage of patients progressing in disability at 2 years (Kaplan-Meier estimate)1 | 34.90% | 21.90% | |
| SECONDARY ENDPOINTS: DISABILITY | |||
| Mean confirmed change in EDSS from study entry to end of study (N: 136, 150)1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0063 |
| EXACERBATIONS | |||
| Number of exacerbations in subset completing 2 years (N: 87, 85) | |||
| 0 | 26% | 38% | 0.033 |
| 1 | 30% | 31% | |
| 2 | 11% | 18% | |
| 3 | 14% | 7% | |
| ≥ 4 | 18% | 7% | |
| Percentage of patients exacerbation- free in subset completing 2 years (N: 87, 85) | 26% | 38% | 0.104 |
| Annual exacerbation rate (N: 143, 158)1 | 0.82 | 0.67 | 0.045 |
| MRI | |||
| Number of Gd-enhanced lesions: | |||
| At study entry (N: 132, 141) | |||
| Mean (Median) | 2.3 (1.0) | 3.2 (1.0) | |
| Range | 0-23 | 0-56 | |
| Year 1 (N: 123, 134) | |||
| Mean (Median) | 1.6 (0) | 1.0 (0) | 0.023 |
| Range | 0-22 | 0-28 | |
| Year 2 (N: 82, 83) | |||
| Mean (Median) | 1.6 (0) | 0.8 (0) | 0.053 |
| Range | 0-34 | 0-13 | |
| T2 lesion volume: | |||
| Percentage change from study entry to Year 1 (N: 116, 123) | |||
| Median | -3.30% | -13.10% | 0.023 |
| Percentage change from study entry to Year 2 (N: 83, 81) | |||
| Median | -6.50% | -13.20% | 0.363 |
| Note: (N: , ) denotes the number of evaluable
placebo and AVONEX® patients, respectively. 1Patient data included in this analysis represent variable periods of time on study. 2Analyzed by Mantel-Cox (logrank) test. 3Analyzed by Mann-Whitney rank-sum test. 4Analyzed by Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. 5Analyzed by likelihood ratio test. |
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In Study 2, 383 patients who had recently experienced an isolated demyelinating event involving the optic nerve, spinal cord, or brainstem/cerebellum, and who had lesions typical of multiple sclerosis on brain MRI, received either 30 mcg AVONEX® (n = 193) or placebo (n = 190) by IM injection once weekly. All patients received intravenous steroid treatment for the initiating clinical exacerbation. Patients were enrolled into the study over a two-year period and followed for up to three years or until they developed a second clinical exacerbation in an anatomically distinct region of the central nervous system. Sixteen percent of subjects on AVONEX® and 14% of subjects on placebo withdrew from the study for a reason other than the development of a second exacerbation2.
The primary outcome measure was time to development of a second exacerbation in an anatomically distinct region of the central nervous system. Secondary outcomes were brain MRI measures, including the cumulative increase in the number of new or enlarging T2 lesions, T2 lesion volume compared to baseline at 18 months, and the number of Gd-enhancing lesions at 6 months.
Time to development of a second exacerbation was significantly delayed in patients treated with AVONEX® compared to placebo (p = 0.002). The Kaplan-Meier estimates of the percentage of patients developing an exacerbation within 24 months were 38.6% in the placebo group and 21.1% in the AVONEX® group (Figure 3). The relative rate of developing a second exacerbation in the AVONEX® group was 0.56 of the rate in the placebo group (95% confidence interval 0.38 to 0.81). The brain MRI findings are described in Table 2.
Figure 3: Onset of Second Exacerbation by Time on Study (Kaplan-Meier
Methodology)
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Table 2 : Brain MRI Data According to Treatment Group
| CHANGE IN T2 VOLUME @18 MONTHS: | AVONEX® N = 119 |
Placebo N = 109 |
| Actual Change (mm³)1* | ||
| Median (25th%, 75th%) | 28 (-576, 397) | 313 (5, 1140) |
| Percentage Change1* | ||
| Median (25th%, 75th%) | 1 (-24, 29) | 16 (0, 53) |
| NUMBER OF NEW OR ENLARGING T2 LESIONS @ 18 MONTHS1*: | N = 132 N (%) |
N = 119 N (%) |
| 0 | 62 (47) | 22 (18) |
| 1-3 | 41 (31) | 47 (40) |
| ≥ 4 | 29 (22) | 50 (42) |
| Mean (SD) | 2.13 (3.19) | 4.97 (7.71) |
| NUMBER OF GD-ENHANCING LESIONS @ 6 MONTHS2*: | N = 165 N (%) |
N = 152 N (%) |
| 0 | 115 (70) | 93 (61) |
| 1 | 27 (16) | 16 (11) |
| > 1 | 23 (14) | 43 (28) |
| Mean (SD) | 0.87 (2.28) | 1.49 (3.14) |
| 1P value < 0.001 2P value < 0.03 * P value from a Mann-Whitney rank-sum test |
||
REFERENCES
1. Jacobs LD, et al. Intramuscular interferon beta-1a for disease progression in relapsing multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 1996;39(3):285-294.
2. Jacobs LD, et al. Intramuscular interferon beta-1a initiated during a first demyelinating event in multiple sclerosis. NEJM 2000;343:898-904.
3. Kurtzke JF. Rating neurologic impairment in multiple sclerosis: an expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Neurology 1983;33:1444-1452.
Last updated on RxList: 2/21/2008
MEDICATION GUIDE
AVONEX®
Interferon beta-1a
(Including appendix with instructions for using AVONEX® Prefilled Syringe or the AVONEX® vials)
Please read this guide carefully before you start to use AVONEX® (a-vuh-necks) and each time your prescription is refilled since there may be new information. The information in this guide does not take the place of talking with your doctor or healthcare professional.
What is the most important information I should know about AVONEX® ?
AVONEX® will not cure multiple sclerosis (MS) but it has been shown to decrease the number of flare-ups and slow the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS. AVONEX® can cause serious side effects, so before you start taking AVONEX® , you should talk with your doctor about the possible benefits of AVONEX® and its possible side effects to decide if AVONEX® is right for you. Potential serious side effects include:
For more information on possible side effects with AVONEX® , please read the section on “What are the possible side effects of AVONEX® ?” in this Medication Guide.
What is AVONEX® ?
AVONEX® is a form of a protein called beta interferon that occurs naturally in the body. It is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. It will not cure your MS but may decrease the number of flare-ups of the disease and slow the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS. MS is a life-long disease that affects your nervous system by destroying the protective covering (myelin) that surrounds your nerve fibers. The way AVONEX® works in MS is not known.
Who should not take AVONEX® ?
Do not take AVONEX® if you have had an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, itching, flushing or skin bumps spread widely over the body) to interferon beta.
Do not take the vial formulation of AVONEX® if you have a history of hypersensitivity to albumin (human).
If you have ever had any of the following conditions or serious medical problems, you should tell your doctor before taking AVONEX® :
You should tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription medicines. This includes any vitamin or mineral supplements, or herbal products.
How should I take AVONEX® ?
To get the most benefit from this medicine, it is important that you take AVONEX® exactly as your doctor tells you.
AVONEX® is given by injection into the muscle (intramuscular injection) once a week, on the same day (for example, every Monday right before bedtime). If you miss a dose, you should take your next dose as soon as you remember. You should continue your regular schedule the following week. Do not take AVONEX® on two consecutive days. Take only the dose your doctor has prescribed for you. Do not change your dose unless you are told to by your doctor. If you take more than your prescribed dose, call your healthcare provider right away. Your doctor may want to monitor you more closely.
You should always follow your doctor's instructions and advice about how to take this medication. If your doctor feels that you, or a family member or friend, may give you the injections, then you and/or the other person should be instructed by your doctor or other healthcare provider in how to prepare and inject your dose of AVONEX® . Do not try to give yourself injections at home until you are sure that you (or the person who will be giving you the injections) fully understands and is comfortable with how to prepare and inject the product. At the end of this guide there are detailed instructions on how to prepare and give yourself an injection of AVONEX® that will help remind you of the instructions from your doctor or healthcare provider.
Always use a new, unopened AVONEX® vial or prefilled syringe for each injection. Never reuse the vials or syringes.
It is important to keep your work area, your hands, and your injection site clean to minimize risk of infection. You should wash your hands prior to handling the syringe.
It is important that you change your injection site each week.
Do not inject into an area of the body where the skin is irritated, reddened, bruised, infected or scarred in any way. Use the alcohol wipe to thoroughly clean the skin at the injection site you have chosen. Using a circular motion, and starting at the injection site and moving outward, clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe. Let the skin area dry before you inject the AVONEX® .
AVONEX® comes in two different forms (a powder in a single-use vial and a liquid in a prefilled syringe). See the attached appendix for detailed instructions for preparing and giving a dose of AVONEX® . These instructions are specific to the form of AVONEX® chosen for you by your healthcare provider.
What should I avoid while taking AVONEX® ?
What are the possible side effects of AVONEX® ?
If you develop these symptoms or any heart problems while taking AVONEX® , you should call your doctor right away. (See “What is the most important information I should know about AVONEX® ?”) If you get any of the symptoms listed in this section or any listed in the section “What is the most important information I should know about AVONEX® ?”, you should call your doctor right away. Whether you experience any side effects or not, you and your doctor should periodically discuss your general health. Your doctor may want to monitor you more closely or may ask you to have blood tests more frequently.
General advice about prescription medicines
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. This medication has been prescribed for your particular condition. Do not use it for another condition or give this drug to anyone else. If you have questions you should speak with your doctor or healthcare professional. You may also ask your doctor or pharmacist for a copy of the information provided to them with the product. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children.
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Manufactured by: Biogen Idec Inc. 14 Cambridge Center Cambridge, MA 02142 USA, ©2005 Biogen Idec Inc. All rights reserved. 1-800-456-2255, I63005-8 (Issue date 03/2005)
Medication Guide Appendix: Instructions for Preparing and Giving a Dose with an AVONEX® Prefilled Syringe
StoringAVONEX® Prefilled Syringes
AVONEX® in prefilled syringes should be refrigerated (36-46°F or 2-8°C). Once removed from the refrigerator, AVONEX® in a prefilled syringe should be allowed to warm to room temperature (about 30 minutes). Do not use external heat sources such as hot water to warm AVONEX® in a prefilled syringe. Should refrigeration be unavailable, AVONEX® in a prefilled syringe can be stored up to 77°F (25°C) for a period up to 7 days. Once the product is removed from the refrigerator, it must not be stored above 77°F (25°C). If the product has been exposed to conditions other than those recommended, DISCARD THE PRODUCT, DO NOT USE and call your pharmacist. Do not expose to high temperatures. Do not freeze. Protect from light.
How can I be sure that my AVONEX prefilled syringe is not exposed to temperatures above 77°F (25°C)? If in doubt, DISCARD THE PRODUCT, DO NOT USE and call your pharmacist.
How do I prepare and inject a dose of AVONEX® ?
Find a well lit, clean, flat work surface like a table and collect all the supplies you will need to give yourself or receive an injection. Take one AVONEX® Administration Dose Pack out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan on injecting your dose to allow it to reach room temperature. A room temperature solution is more comfortable to inject.
You will need the following supplies:
Preparing the AVONEX® prefilled syringe
It is important to keep your work area, your hands, and your injection site clean to minimize risk of infection. You should wash your hands prior to handling the syringe.
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Selecting an injection site
You should use a different site each time you inject. This can be as simple as switching between thighs (if you are always injecting yourself), or if another person is helping you, you can rotate between your upper arms and your thighs. Keeping a record of the date and location of each injection will help you.
Do not inject into an area of the body where the skin is irritated, reddened, bruised, infected or scarred in any way.
The best sites for intramuscular injection are the thigh and upper arm:
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Injecting the AVONEX® dose
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Disposal of syringes and needles
There may be special state and/or local laws for disposing of used needles and syringes. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist should provide you with instructions on how to dispose of your used needles and syringes.
Appendix Revision Date: 09/2006
Last updated on RxList: 2/21/2008
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your health care professional. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your health care professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you.
INTERFERON BETA 1A - INJECTION
(in-ter-FEER-on BAY-tuh)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Avonex
USES: This medication is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). Interferon is not a cure for MS, but it may help to decrease the number of attacks of weakness and slow the progression of the disease.
HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using interferon beta 1A and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Inject this medicine usually once a week into a muscle (IM-intramuscularly) or as directed by your doctor. Give the shot in the evening before bedtime to minimize side effects.
To increase comfort, take this medication out of the refrigerator and let it warm to room temperature for about 30 minutes before injecting. Carefully mix the powder with the liquid provided as directed. Gently swirl the vial of medication. Do not shake it. Before using this product, check it visually for particles. The solution is normally clear or slightly yellow in color. If the liquid has particles or is discolored, do not use it.
The thigh and upper arm muscles are recommended sites for the shot. Use a different spot each week. Do not inject into skin that is irritated or infected.
Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Never reuse syringes or needles. Consult your pharmacist for more details.
Use this medicine regularly as directed in order to get the most benefit. Use it at the same time each week. Do not change the dose or how often you use this medication without your doctor's approval.
Inform your doctor if your condition worsens.
Flu-like symptoms such as headache, fatigue, fever, chills, and muscle aches may occur when you first start this medication. These symptoms usually last about a day after the shot and improve or go away after a few months of continued use. You can minimize these side effects by injecting this medicine at bedtime and using fever reducers/pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen before each dose. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, thoughts of suicide, new or worsening psychiatric symptoms), hair loss, vision changes, persistent fatigue, numbness/tingling/swelling of the hands/ankles/feet, muscle weakness, trouble breathing, sudden weight gain, gradual change in weight (without a change in diet or exercise), cold or heat intolerance, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bleeding or bruising, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), yellowing eyes or skin, persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, seizures.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you may call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking interferon, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to albumin; or if you have any other allergies.
There is a risk of contracting a virus from using this medication because it contains albumin from human blood. Careful screening of blood donors, special manufacturing methods, and FDA-approved tests are all used to reduce such a risk. For more details, talk to your doctor.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: mental/mood disorders (e.g., depression, psychosis, suicidal thoughts), heart disease (e.g., angina, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia), seizures, thyroid disease, liver disease, decreased bone marrow function.
Limit your intake of alcohol while on this medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of alcohol while using this drug.
This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for more details.
It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Breast feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: hydroxyurea, telbivudine, theophylline, other drugs/herbals which may be harmful to your liver (e.g., isoniazid, kava, methotrexate, nefazodone).
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., complete blood counts, blood chemistry, liver and thyroid function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. Do not use this medication 2 days in a row. Contact your health care provider to establish a new dose schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: It is best to store the vials in the refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not expose to high temperatures and do not freeze. Vials may also be kept at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) for up to 30 days. Use this medication immediately after mixing at room temperature or within 6 hours if refrigerated. Discard any unused solution. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Information last revised July 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.
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