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

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using interferon beta 1A and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Inject this medicine usually once a week into a muscle (IM-intramuscularly) or as directed by your doctor. Give the shot in the evening before bedtime to minimize side effects.

To increase comfort, take this medication out of the refrigerator and let it warm to room temperature for about 30 minutes before injecting. Carefully mix the powder with the liquid provided as directed. Gently swirl the vial of medication. Do not shake it. Before using this product, check it visually for particles. The solution is normally clear or slightly yellow in color. If the liquid has particles or is discolored, do not use it.

The thigh and upper arm muscles are recommended sites for the shot. Use a different spot each week. Do not inject into skin that is irritated or infected.

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

Use this medicine regularly as directed in order to get the most benefit. Use it at the same time each week. Do not change the dose or how often you use this medication without your doctor's approval.

Inform your doctor if your condition worsens.

Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Flu-like symptoms such as headache, fatigue, fever, chills, and muscle aches may occur when you first start this medication. These symptoms usually last about a day after the shot and improve or go away after a few months of continued use. You can minimize 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., depression, thoughts of suicide, new or worsening psychiatric symptoms), hair loss, vision changes, persistent fatigue, numbness/tingling/swelling of the hands/ankles/feet, muscle weakness, trouble breathing, sudden weight gain, gradual change in weight (without a change in diet or exercise), cold or heat intolerance, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat.

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

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 unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: 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.

There is a risk of contracting a virus from using this medication because it contains albumin from human blood. Careful screening of blood donors, special manufacturing methods, and FDA-approved tests are all used to reduce such a risk. For more details, talk to your doctor.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: mental/mood disorders (e.g., depression, psychosis, suicidal thoughts), heart disease (e.g., angina, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia), seizures, thyroid disease, liver disease, decreased bone marrow function.

Limit your intake of alcohol while on this medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of alcohol while using this drug.

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. Breast feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

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

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: hydroxyurea, telbivudine, theophylline, other drugs/herbals which may be harmful to your liver (e.g., isoniazid, kava, methotrexate, nefazodone).

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. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., complete blood counts, blood chemistry, liver and 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. Do not use this medication 2 days in a row. Contact your health care provider to establish a new dose schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

It is best to store the vials in the refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not expose to high temperatures and do not freeze. Vials may also be kept at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) for up to 30 days. Use this medication immediately after mixing at room temperature or within 6 hours if refrigerated. Discard any unused solution. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

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 enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

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