Extavia (Interferon Beta-1b Kit) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Extavia
(interferon beta-1b) Kit for Subcutaneous Use

DRUG DESCRIPTION

EXTAVIA® (interferon beta-1b) is a purified, sterile, lyophilized protein product produced by recombinant DNA techniques. Interferon beta-1b is manufactured by bacterial fermentation of a strain of Escherichia coli that bears a genetically engineered plasmid containing the gene for human interferon beta_ser17. The native gene was obtained from human fibroblasts and altered in a way that substitutes serine for the cysteine residue found at position 17. Interferon beta-1b has 165 amino acids and an approximate molecular weight of 18,500 daltons. It does not include the carbohydrate side chains found in the natural material. EXTAVIA contains the same active ingredients as other interferon beta-1b products. For this reason, these products should not be given concomitantly.

The specific activity of EXTAVIA (interferon beta-1b kit) is approximately 32 million international units (IU)/mg Interferon beta-1b. Each vial contains 0.3 mg of interferon beta-1b. The unit measurement is derived by comparing the antiviral activity of the product to the World Health Organization (WHO) reference standard of recombinant human interferon beta. Mannitol, USP and Albumin (Human), USP (15 mg each/vial) are added as stabilizers.

Lyophilized EXTAVIA (interferon beta-1b kit) is a sterile, white to off-white powder, for subcutaneous injection after reconstitution with the diluent supplied (Sodium Chloride, 0.54% Solution).

Last reviewed on RxList: 9/16/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.