Interferon Beta-1a is an interferon beta sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for multiple sclerosis. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
From the FDA label for Avonex (application BLA103628). Other interferon beta-1a products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
For intramuscular use only ( 2.1 ) Recommended dose: 30 micrograms once a week ( 2.1 ) AVONEX may be titrated, starting with 7.5 micrograms for first week, to reduce flu-like symptoms ( 2.1 ) Increase dose by 7.5 micrograms each week for next 3 weeks until recommended dose of 30 micrograms ( 2.1 ) See patient instructions for use for complete administration instructions ( 2.2 ) Perform first injection under the supervision of an appropriately qualified health care professional ( 2.2 ) Analgesics and/or antipyretics on treatment days may help ameliorate flu-like symptoms ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Dosing Information AVONEX is administered intramuscularly. The recommended dose is 30 micrograms once a week. To reduce the incidence and severity of flu-like symptoms that may occur when initiating AVONEX therapy at a dose of 30 micrograms, AVONEX may be started at a dose of 7.5 micrograms and the dose may be increased by 7.5 micrograms each week for the next three weeks until the recommended dose of 30 micrograms is achieved (see Table 1 ). An AVOSTARTGRIP™ kit containing 3 titration devices can be used for titration and is to be used only with AVONEX Prefilled Syringes. Table 1: Schedule for Dose Titration 1 Dosed once a week, intramuscularly AVONEX Dose 1 Recommended Dose Week 1 7.5 micrograms 1/4 dose Week 2 15 micrograms 1/2 dose Week 3 22.5 micrograms 3/4 dose Week 4+ 30 micrograms full dose…
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of labeling: Depression, Suicide, and Psychotic Disorders [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Hepatic Injury [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Anaphylaxis and Other Allergic-Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Injection Site Reactions Including Necrosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Congestive Heart Failure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Decreased Peripheral Blood Counts [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Thrombotic Microangiopathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Autoimmune Disorders [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Laboratory Tests [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )] The most common adverse reactions (at least 5% more frequent on AVONEX than on placebo) were flu-like symptoms including chills, fever, myalgia, and asthenia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Biogen at 1-800-456-2255 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of AVONEX cannot be directly compared to rates in clinical trials of other drugs and may not reflect the rates…
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Typical price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | — | — | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | — | — | View → |
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
AVONEX is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to natural or recombinant interferon beta, or any other component of the formulation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . The formerly available lyophilized vial formulation of AVONEX is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to albumin (human). History of hypersensitivity to natural or recombinant interferon beta, albumin or any other component of the formulation ( 4 )