Avonex (Interferon beta-1a) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

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HCV is one of several viruses that cause hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).
Up to 85% of individuals who are initially (acutely) infected with HCV will fail to eliminate the virus and will become chronically infected.
HCV is spread most commonly through inadvertent exposure to infected blood. Intravenous drug abuse is the most common mode of transmission. The risk of acquiring HCV through sexual contact is low.
Generally, patients do not develop symptoms of chronic infection with HCV until they have extensive scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). Some individuals, however, may have fatigue and other non-specific symptoms in the absence of cirrhosis. A minority of patients with HCV have symptoms from organs outside of the liver.
In the U.S., Infection with HCV is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis and the most common reason for liver transplantation.
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AVONEX®
(Interferon beta-1a) IM Injection

DRUG DESCRIPTION

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® (interferon beta-1a) 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® (interferon beta-1a) 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® (interferon beta-1a) 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® (interferon beta-1a) with other Interferon betas is not appropriate, because of differences in the reference standards and assays used to measure activity.

30 mcg Lyophilized Powder Vial

A vial of AVONEX® (interferon beta-1a) 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.

30 mcg Prefilled Syringe

A prefilled syringe of AVONEX® (interferon beta-1a) is formulated as a sterile liquid for intramuscular injection. Each 0.5 mL (30 mcg dose) of AVONEX® (interferon beta-1a) 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.

What are the possible side effects of interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Avonex Prefilled Syringe, Rebif)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

depressed mood, anxiety, trouble sleeping, restlessness, or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
easy bruising or bleeding, weakness;
seizure (convulsions);
numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
pain or...

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What are the precautions when taking interferon beta-1a (Avonex)?

Before using interferon, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to products containing human albumin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

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,...

Read All Potential Precautions of Avonex »

Last reviewed on RxList: 2/21/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.