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Avonex

Pronunciation: a-vuh-necks
Generic name: interferon beta-1a
Dosage form: injection for intramuscular use
Drug class: Interferons

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 10, 2024.

What is Avonex?

Avonex is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults (including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease). Avonex is given by injection into a muscle, usually once weekly at bedtime.

Avonex’s mechanism of action resembles that of interferons which are proteins naturally produced by our immune system that help regulate the body’s immune response and fight viral infections. Avonex contains interferon beta 1-a, which is a man-made form of interferon that works in the same way, binding to specific receptors on cell surfaces and decreasing the activity of immune cells that attack the myelin sheath, reducing inflammation in the central nervous system, and helping to suppress the autoimmune response that characterizes MS. Avonex belongs to the drug class called interferons. It may also be called an immunomodulator.

Avonex will not cure MS, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) gained FDA approval on May 17, 1996. There is no Avonex generic (more correctly called a biosimilar).

Warnings

Avonex can harm your liver. Call your doctor if you have symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, confusion, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while using interferon beta-1a. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Before using Avonex, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver disease, a thyroid disorder, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, heart disease, chest pain (angina), congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, or a history of depression or suicidal behavior.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Avonex if you are allergic to natural or recombinant interferon beta or albumin.

To make sure Avonex is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

Some brands of interferon beta-1a contain donated human plasma and may contain viruses or other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of contamination, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Ask your doctor about any possible risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.

Interferon beta-1a is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I use Avonex?

Use Avonex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Avonex is given by injection. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all the instructions.

Avonex is injected into a muscle, usually once weekly at bedtime, on the same day each week (such as every Monday).

The powder form of this medicine must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Your care provider will show you where on your body to inject Avonex. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

About 2 hours after your injection, check for skin redness, swelling, or pain where you gave the injection. Call your doctor if you have a skin reaction that does not go away within a few days.

This medicine can cause flu-like symptoms, especially when you first start using it. You may be given other medications to help prevent these symptoms. Keep using these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Each prefilled syringe or injection pen is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Protect from light and do not freeze.

After mixing the powder form of Avonex (single-use vial) with a diluent, store the mixture in a refrigerator and use it within 6 hours.

The Avonex prefilled syringe may be removed from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before your injection, to reach room temperature. Do not warm the medicine under hot water.

You may also store Avonex for a short time at cool room temperature protected from light.

Do not freeze. Throw away the medicine if it has become frozen.

Each vial or syringe is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but do not inject Avonex two days in a row. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Avonex?

Avoid injecting Avonex into skin that is red, bruised, irritated, scarred, or infected.

Avonex side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Avonex (hives, itching, anxiety, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Interferon beta-1a can cause life-threatening blood clots in the small blood vessels inside your organs, such as your brain or kidneys. Seek medical help right away if you have symptoms of this condition, such as a fever, tiredness, decreased urination, bruising, or nosebleeds.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Avonex side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Avonex dosing

Usual Adult Maintenance Dose of Avonex for Multiple Sclerosis: Avonex 30 mcg IM once a week.

Titrate the dose as follows to reduce the incidence and severity of influenza-like symptoms:

Use: For the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to slow the onset of physical disability and decrease the frequency of clinical exacerbations. 

Available as an Avonex single-dose prefilled syringe and single-dose prefilled autoinjector.

What other drugs will affect Avonex?

Other drugs may interact with interferon beta-1a, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Does Avonex interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Avonex ingredients

Active ingredient: interferon beta-1a
Inactive ingredients: Avonex Single-Dose Prefilled Syringe: arginine hydrochloride, glacial acetic acid, polysorbate 20, sodium acetate trihydrate in water for injection.

Inactive ingredients: Avonex Single-Dose Prefilled Autoinjector Pen: arginine hydrochloride, glacial acetic acid, polysorbate 20, sodium acetate trihydrate in water for injection. 

Who makes Avonex?

Biogen Inc. makes Avonex.

Avonex Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There are 2 for Avonex.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) - Biogen Inc.
Formulation type Strength
Autoinjector 30 mcg/0.5 mL
Pre-Filled Syringe 30 mcg/0.5 mL
Single-Dose Vial 30 mcg Discontinued
Rebif (interferon beta-1a) - EMD Serono, Inc.
Formulation type Strength
Autoinjector 22 mcg/0.5 mL
Autoinjector 44 mcg/0.5 mL
Autoinjector 8.8 mcg/0.2 mL
Pre-Filled Syringe 22 mcg/0.5 mL
Pre-Filled Syringe 44 mcg/0.5 mL
Pre-Filled Syringe 8.8 mcg/0.2 mL

View Rebif information in detail.

Popular FAQ

How does Avonex work for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Although experts are not exactly sure how Avonex works in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), it is thought to help decrease inflammation that can cause MS flare-ups by helping to control immune system activities. Continue reading

How long can Avonex be unrefrigerated?

Avonex may be kept unrefrigerated for up to 7 days as long as the room temperature is not more than 25°C (77°F). Continue reading

How do you use the Avonex pen injector?

The Avonex pen is designed for self-administration into the upper outer thigh. Self-administration is straightforward, but it is best to get a nurse or doctor to show you initially. Continue reading

More about Avonex (interferon beta-1a)

Patient resources

Other brands

Rebif, Rebif Rebidose

Professional resources

Other brands

Rebif

Other formulations

Related treatment guides

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.