Avonex

Avonex is used as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. Learn more about the disease, the drug, the proper dosage and all the important truths about using Avonex.

For patients who have multiple sclerosis, there is more than treating the condition. One must need to know what the disease is all about to have an idea of the whole thing. MS, a medical abbreviation of the disease, is otherwise called as encephalomyelitis disseminate. It’s an inflammatory, chronic and demyelinating disease that influences the central nervous system. It displays symptoms like disability, mobility impairment, balance problem, coordination problems, speech difficulty, depression, weakness of the muscle, visual change, sensation changes, fatigue, pain and overheating.

In order to prevent the rapid disability progress of multiple sclerosis and reduce the occurrence of attacks, doctors recommend the use of interferon beta-1a, the generic term for Avonex. In medical studies, Avonex proved to be an effective treatment that decreases rate of MS deterioration to 30%. It is not considered a cure to the disease, but with consistent use, the patient may change the worsening condition of MS.

Avonex is given to the patient as an injectable form. Depending on the patient’s condition, the doctor will prescribe Avonex according to the body’s suitability. On the average, adult patients with MS must be given 30 microgram of Avonex once in a week. Avonex must be properly injected into a suitable muscle of the patient.

It is always helpful to have somebody to attend the patient during treatment. The assistant should learn on proper ways to prepare the medicine, appropriate handling of syringe disposables, proper ways of giving an injection and the allowable length of time injection of Avonex is stable.

The medicine should be kept in a children safe place and apart from exposure to sunlight. Avonex vials must not be frozen but is only refrigerated.

Other medical conditions may interfere with the performance of Avonex in the patient’s body. So it is best to check the patient for conditions like liver disease, heart disease, heart beat irregularity, depression, mental health problems, seizures, thyroid disease, history of heart attack and allergic reactions to food, drugs, preservatives, dyes, latex, hamster proteins, albumin and Interferon.

Having a liver problem may cause some serious effect if Avonex is used. Some side effects of Avonex may worsen the condition of patients with heart disease. Examination of medical conditions is advisable before taking Avonex.

Ask the doctor about drug interactions with Avonex. The only known drug that interacts with Avonex is zidovudine – a drug used to treat HIV infection. There may still be other drugs that interact with the medicine so be sure to discuss with the doctor about the patient’s intake of OTC drugs, herbal drugs, dietary supplements, intake of alcohol or caffeinated drinks and cigarette smoking..

The side effects of Avonex are classified into four: more common, less common, rare and unknown incident. More common Avonex side effects are chest pain, coughing, fever, diarrhea, flu, pain in the joint, muscle pain, ulcer, breathing shortness and uncommon bleeding.

Less common Avonex side effects are unsteadiness, seizures, skin itching, flushing, faintness, dizziness, mood changes, suicidal thoughts, muscle spasm, swelling of the face, eyelids or lips, vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, sore throat, sneezing, skin lesions, affected speech, runny nose, swelling or reddening of the injected spot and stomach pain.

Rare Avonex side effects are ear aching, appetite loss, ill feeling, shingles and blisters on the genital area.

Unknown incidents are blood content in stool or urine, gum bleeding, vomiting, low urine output, severe fatigue, sever fever, hoarsening of voice, pale skin, skin peeling, heat sensitivity and weight loss.

Discuss the side effects clearly with the doctor and learn the proper ways of dealing with these side effects. Treatment of the side effects may need to be consulted first with the doctor. The patient must also be checked regularly by the doctor.