{"product_id":"rebif-interferon-beta-1a","title":"REBIF\/AVONEX (Interferon Beta-1a)","description":"\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat is this medication?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eREBIF\/AVONEX (Interferon Beta-1a)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eInterferon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eREBIF\/AVONEX (Interferon Beta-1a) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHow does this medication work?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe mechanism of action by which REBIF\/AVONEX (Interferon Beta-1a) exerts its effects in patients with multiple sclerosis is unknown.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHow should I take this medication? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAVONEX:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIM:\u003c\/em\u003e Inject 30 mcg intramuscularly once weekly; to decrease flu-like symptoms, may initiate once-weekly dosing with 7.5 mcg (week 1) then increase dose in increments of 7.5 mcg once weekly (weeks 2 to 4) up to recommended dose (30 mcg once weekly).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRotate injection site. Do not inject into area where skin is irritated, red, bruised, scarred, or infected. Two hours after injection, examine site for redness, swelling, or tenderness. Discard any unused portion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eREBIF:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eSQ:\u003c\/em\u003e Target dose, inject either 22 or 44 mcg subcutaneously 3 times weekly; doses should be separated by at least 48 hours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdminister at the same time of day on the same 3 days each week (eg, Mon, Wed, Fri), preferably in the late afternoon or evening. Rotate injection site, and do not inject into area where skin is irritated, red, bruised, or scarred. Discard any unused portion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhen first starting REBIF, it should be started at a low dose and tapered upwards. REBIF provides a titration kit that has numbered syringes for titration. The typical titration is as follows. Weeks 1-2 8.8 mcg three times a week Weeks 3-4 22 mcg three times a week Weeks 5+ 44 mcg three times a week.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSites include the front of the thighs, back of arms, buttocks and abdomen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow to Take:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The first injection should be administered under the supervision of a health care professional.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat should I watch for while using this medication? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBefore starting REBIF\/AVONEX (Interferon Beta-1a) make sure your physician is aware of any allergies and medications you currently take, if you have cardiovascular disease, liver disease, a seizure disorder, or thyroid dysfunction.  Interferon Beta-1A use has been associated with rare but serious adverse events such as hypersensitivity reaction, autoimmune disorder, bone marrow suppression, flu like symptoms, hepatic effects, injection site reaction, neuropsychiatric disorder, and thrombotic microangiopathy. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch for signs\/symptoms suggestive of liver dysfunction, such as loss of appetite accompanied by other symptoms such as malaise, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice or pruritus. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch for flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, chills, muscle aches) are not uncommon following initiation of therapy with REBIF. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be used for relief of flu-like symptoms. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou should contact your physician or pharmacist if you experience any of the above undesirable effects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat size needle does this medication use?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREBIF\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrefilled syringe: 29-gauge, ½ inch needle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAVONEX\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrefilled syringe: 25-gauge, 1 inch needle\u003cbr\u003eAutoinjector: 25-gauge, ⅝ inch needle\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat is the difference between a prefilled syringe and a cartridge?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe prefilled syringe is in a ready to use format including a fixed needle, whereas a cartridge needle is separate from the glass body.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat if I miss a dose?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you miss an injection, you should take your next injection as soon as you remember or are able to take it, then skip the following day and give your regular dose 48 hours later. Do not take\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Interferon Beta-1a on 2 consecutive days. If you accidentally take more than your prescribed dose, or take it on 2 consecutive days, call your healthcare provider right away.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHow should I store this medication?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eKeep out of the reach of children. Store in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Keep in the original carton to protect it from light.\u003c\/span\u003e Allow to warm to room temperature prior to use (do not use external heat source). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhat are the possible side effects of using this medication?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eYou may experience flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, chills, muscle aches) at the beginning of therapy which should decrease over time.  Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be helpful in relieving flu-like symptoms. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNote this is not a complete list of side effects for REBIF\/AVONEX (Interferon Beta-1a), only common ones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EMD SERONO\/BIOGEN","offers":[{"title":"22mcg - 3 Prefilled Syringes - Canada","offer_id":47140267589950,"sku":null,"price":6672.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"22mcg - 4x3 Cartridges - Canada","offer_id":47140267622718,"sku":null,"price":6672.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"44mcg - 3 Prefilled Syringes - Canada","offer_id":47140267655486,"sku":null,"price":6672.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"44mcg - 4x3 Cartridges - Canada","offer_id":47140267688254,"sku":null,"price":6672.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0711\/0321\/7982\/files\/Rebif22cartridge.jpg?v=1695641572","url":"https:\/\/www.advochealth.com\/products\/rebif-interferon-beta-1a","provider":"AdvocHealth","version":"1.0","type":"link"}