Avonex (interferon beta 1a injection)

• Avonex (Interferon beta-1a) is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms ofmultiple sclerosis(MS) in adults. It reduces the occurrence ofMSflares and reduces physical disability caused byMS.
• Interferonbeta-1a (Avonex) is a protein produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells into which the human interferon beta genes have been introduced. It is used for treatingmultiple sclerosis(MS).
• Interferon beta-1a is designed to be identical to interferon beta that is naturally produced by various cells in the body. Interferon beta has antiviral properties and plays a role in regulating the immune response. The exact mechanism by which interferon beta-1a works in the body to treat MS is not known. Interferon beta-1a does not cure MS. Rather, it helps to decrease the number of flare-ups and slows the occurrence of some of the physical disability that commonly occurs in the disease.

What brand names are available for Avonex (interferon beta-1a)?

• Avonex is the brand name available for interferon beta-1a in the US.

Interferon beta-1a, currently in use to treatmultiple sclerosis, and interferon alfa-2b are both under investigation as potential treatments for people with有限公司VID-19coronavirus disease, the deadly respiratory pandemic caused by theSARS-nCoV-2 virus.

• 本质上,当面对一个病毒,每一个cell shoots an emergency flare of interferon to tell the immune system to marshall its defenses.
• 干扰素β1,具体来说,激活macrophages that engulf antigens and natural killer cells (NK cells), a type of immune T-Cell.
• Those cells are integral in the innate immune system.
• The theory is, interferon may be able to make the immune system stronger by turning on dormant parts and directing them toward the defense againstSARS-nCoV-2's assault.

The problem is, when interferons ramp up the immune system,有限公司VID-19'sflu-like symptomsare likely to become worse before they get better; interferon naturally occurring in the body is responsible for allflu-likesymptoms to begin with, whether you have the coronavirus or acommon cold.

So, if someone is already on a ventilator and symptoms are about to overwhelm them, giving them an interferon-based medicine could be catastrophic. This is why interferon therapies for viral infections are typically a last resort -- the potential for dire side effects.

Studies around the world, including a huge WHO study, are looking at different interferons to treat有限公司VID-19coronavirus, but no existing COVID-19 drug trials in the U.S. included interferons as of April 7, 2020.

It is possible there is a hesitance to use interferon in America because it was used in the late 1990s and early 2000s to treatHepatitis C, and its side effects caused a lot of injury to U.S. patients.

Clinicians were lucky if they saw a 30% cure rate treatingHep Cwith interferon, but the side effects were severe, including:

• Drop in white blood cell levels,
• liverproblems, and
• psychiatric issues.

People would becomesuicidal, fall into deep depressions.

Data for COVID-19 section provided by Dominic Chan, a Pharm. D. and infectious disease specialist at Legacy Health System in Oregon.

Common side effects include:

• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms
• Pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Weakness
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Stomach pain
• Injections sitepain
• Sinusitis
• Nausea
• Urinary tract infection(UTI)
• Dizziness

Other side effects include:

• Injection site inflammation
• Bronchitis
• Joint pain
• Hair loss
• Migraine
• Injection sitebruising/bleeding

Possible serious side effects include:

• Congestive heart failure
• Seizures
• Autoimmune disorders
• Seriousallergicreactions
• Thrombotic microangiopathy (clotting in small blood vessels)
• Depression
• Suicide
• Psychotic disorders
• Liver failure
• Reduced blood cell counts
• Cardiomyopathy
• Pancytopenia
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome(HUS)
• Viral transmission

• Interferon beta-1a should only be administered by intramuscular injection.
• The recommended dose is 30 mcg injected intramuscularly once a week.
• Treatment may be started at 7.5 mcg weekly and increased by 7.5 mcg weekly until the full dose of 30 mcg is reached.

• Combining interferon beta-1a withzidovudine(Retrovir) orhydroxyurea(Hydrea) may increase the risk of bone marrow suppression with reduced blood cell counts.

• Use of interferon beta-1a has not been adequately evaluated inpregnantwomen. Due to the lack of conclusive safety data, interferon beta-1a should be used inpregnancyonly if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
• It is not known if interferon beta-1a is excreted inbreast milk. As manydrugsenter breast milk and can potentially cause harm to thenursinginfant, interferon beta-1a should be used cautiously in nursing mothers

What preparations of Avonex (interferon beta-1a) are available?

• Single-dose prefilled syringe: 30 mcg/0.5 mL.
• 粉末注射(单独使用瓶):30微克。
• Autoinjector: 30 mcg/0.5 ml

How should I keep Avonex (interferon beta-1a) stored?

• Preferably interferon beta-1a should be stored refrigerated between 2 C to 8 C (36 F to 46 F).
• If needed, interferon beta-1a powder can be stored at 25 C (77 F) for up to 30 days if a refrigerator is not available. It must be used within 6 hours if refrigerated at 2 C to 8 C (36 F to 46 F) once the powder is diluted with solution
• The autoinjector and prefilled syringe may be stored at 25 C (77 F) or lower temperatures for 7 days if a refrigerator is not available. Once the product is removed from the refrigerator, it must not be stored above 25 C (77 F).

When was Avonex (interferon beta-1a) approved by the FDA?

• Avonex was approved by the FDA in 1996.