This medication is used to treat multiple sclerosis. Interferon is not a cure for multiple sclerosis, but it may help to decrease the number of attacks of weakness and slow the worsening of the disease.

This medication is the same as a protein that your body naturally produces (interferon). In the body, it is thought to work by affecting the body's natural defenses (immune system) in many ways. Adding more interferon may help your body fight the effects of multiple sclerosis.

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. Learn all preparation and usage instructions given by the manufacturer. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Do not shake the vial. Doing so may decrease the effectiveness of the drug.

Inject this medication under the skin, usually every other day or as directed by your doctor. This medication is best used in the evening before bedtime to reduce side effects.

It is important to change the location of the injection site with each dose to avoid problem areas under the skin. Therefore, choose a different injection site with each dose. The abdomen, thighs, upper arms, and buttocks are recommended sites for the injection. Do not inject into skin that is irritated, sore, or infected.

Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Never reuse syringes or needles. Consult your pharmacist for details.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not change the dose or how often you use this medication without your doctor's approval. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each evening that you have a scheduled dose.

Tell your doctor if your condition worsens.

Injection site reactions (pain/swelling/redness), abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Most patients have flu-like symptoms such as headache, tiredness, fever, chills, and muscle aches when they first start this medication. These symptoms usually last about 1 day after the injection and improve or go away after a few months of continued use. You can reduce these side effects by injecting this medicine at bedtime and using fever reducers/pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen before each dose. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., new or worsening depression, thoughts of suicide, psychosis), feeling too hot or cold (more than others around you), persistent tiredness, gradual change in weight (without a change in diet or exercise).

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bleeding/bruising, persistent nausea/vomiting, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, seizures.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking interferon, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to albumin; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood cell disorders (e.g., anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia), heart disease (e.g., angina, irregular heartbeat, congestive heart failure), liver disease, mental/mood disorders (e.g., depression, psychosis, suicidal thoughts), seizure disorder, thyroid disease, use/abuse of alcohol.

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for more details.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: drugs that may affect your immune system (e.g., cancer chemotherapy, cyclosporine), hydroxyurea, telbivudine, theophyllines (e.g., aminophylline, theophylline).

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., complete blood count, blood chemistry, liver or thyroid function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember, and contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule. Your next injection should be taken about 48 hours (2 days) after you actually take the missed dose. Do not use this medication 2 days in a row. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store the unmixed product at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

If the mixed solution is not used immediately after mixing, refrigerate and use within 3 hours. Do not freeze. Discard unused portions after 3 hours.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised October 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.