Interferon Beta-1a 8.8 mcg
Interferon Beta-1a 22 mcg
Interferon Beta-1a 44 mcg
What Interferon Beta-1a is used for:
- Interferon beta-1a is in a class of medications called immunomodulators and is used in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to
- Decrease flare-ups of symptoms (such as balance problems, numbness or weakness)
- Help to slow disease worsening.
Do not take Interferon Beta-1a:
- If you are allergic to interferon beta, human albumin, or any of the ingredients.
Warnings & Precautions:
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Interferon Beta-1a if you:
- Have depression or suicide signs and symptoms
- Have liver problems
- Have bleeding problems or blood clots
- Have thyroid problems
- Are at risk for seizures
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
Possible Side Effects:
- Skin reaction at the site of injection (itching, swelling, color change)
- Abdominal pain
- Influenza like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, headaches).
Other medicines and Interferon Beta-1a:
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
- Interferon Beta-1a and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects.
- Caution with medicinal products that have a narrow therapeutic index like digoxin, lithium, warfarin, and phenytoin.
How to take Interferon Beta-1a:
- Adults above 18 years of age:
- The usual dose is: 1 under the skin injected dose three times per week.
How To Use:
- It is given by injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) on the same 3 days a week, for example, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- Take the syringe out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you plan to use it until the temperature rises.
- Do not heat or microwave the medicine.
- Make sure the dose, 8.8 mcg, 22 mcg or 44 mcg, prescribed on the carton is the same dose that your healthcare provider has prescribed.
- Remove the syringe from the plastic package. Keep the needle covered.
- The liquid should be clear to slightly yellow. Do not use if the liquid is cloudy, discolored, or contains particles. Use a different syringe.
- Your injections should be at least 48 hours apart. Take them the same time each day.
- Inject exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
- Do not inject more than your healthcare provider tells you to.
- Change (rotate) your injection site you choose with each injection.
- This will help decrease the chance that you will have an injection site reaction.
- Do not inject into an area of the body where the skin is irritated, reddened, bruised, infected or scarred in any way.
How to store Interferon Beta-1a:
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- It should be stored refrigerated between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). DO NOT FREEZE
- The patient may remove it from the refrigerator and store it not above 25°C for one single period of up to 14 days.
- Store the cartridge in the original package in order to protect from light.
- Do not use beyond the expiration date printed on packages.
- Each prefilled syringe and autoinjector is intended for a single dose.
- Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
