User Reviews for Plegridy subcutaneous

I was ecstatic to be prescribed a medication that only requires bi-weekly injections. However, I am one of the unlucky patients to have bad side effects. While Plegridy kept my MS at bay, the side effects included depression (never had this before), weakness to partial paralysis in lower limbs for 2 days following injections, and severe headaches. Unfortunately the side effects remained once I came off of the medication and I am slowly getting back to my old self on Rebif.

I used Avonex for over 15 years and was tired of IM shots. When I switched to Plegridy in April 2015 I thought I found an easier way to get my medication. 3 out of 4 of my last pens have malfunctioned. I have gone without doses and am having trouble walking. I'm going back to Avonex.

I completed my first 2 injections of Plegridy and had delayed red spots, larger than 2" diameter, at the injection sites. Although somewhat improved in appearance now, these injection site spots haven't faded away, even after 3 1/2 weeks. I just hope these will go away by the time I need to inject in my thighs again. Also, although I take 500 mg Naproxen both before Plegridy and again the next morning, I still have flu-like muscle aches for 3 days after the injection. I wonder if I should manage Naproxen differently since Plegridy is a "slow-release" drug. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. Read More Read Less

started this therapy Jan or Feb of 2015, the exact date eludes me. Within the 1st 2 injections every other week..within the 1st and 2nd weeks noticed a change in my mobility weakness/buckling of the knees. I did as instructed by the nurse from biogen had instructed me to do if I had complications, Call the help line, maned by RN's specifically trained in issues pertaining to Plegridy. The information that the RN was giving was scripted and was the same information I got researching this medication on my own... Because I understood that since this was a new MS protocol and the symptoms I was having may be a generalized symptom...I aske if they could note it within their data base as a possible new symptom, I got a redirection response from the RN at biogen... Once I stopped taking this medication, please note that I stopped taking this pharmaceutical drug after the 1st month, I noted a decrease in my symptoms right away, but it has taken me 5 to 6 months to somewhat back to where I was before starting this protocol... I didnt have a sever case of MS to begin with so this was to be a start early/just in case, get a jump on scenario. This was an Epic Fail for me. so now onto something else...maybe I will try Aubagio next... Still Debating, why try new things if the new thing doesn't add to your quality of life...Just My Opinion... Read More Read Less

My first treatment for MS was Avonex. I had terrible flu-like side-effects and stopped taking it. Also, I wasn't a fan of giving myself IM injections. I moved on to Copaxone and Betaserone. Both drugs caused terrible chest pains/tightness and the flu-like symptoms were still unbearable. I started Plegridy about 4 months ago and have had no flu-like symptoms or chest pain/tightness. The injector is genius because it's easy to grip and let's me know when all the medication has been injected. The delayed injection site reactions leave bright red marks which turn to bruises/darkening of the skin but eventually resolve on their own. Will need bloodwork soon to monitor Plegridy, but other than that, I'm happy, for once, with my MS treatment. None of my usual symptoms have gotten worse so far on this treatment. Read More Read Less

Have taken Avonex for over 15 years. Had trouble with the pen. Doctor suggested Plegridy. Terrible flu-like reaction to first shot. Also site red spot which grew, after several days. Second shot, smaller red spot after several days. Felt fatigue, headaches, anxiety and lack of appetite. Last weekend, had trouble walking. First time had this reaction in ten years. Drug not worth i for me.

I have been an Avonex Pen user with great success and recently switched to Plegridy Pen for the smaller needle and subcutaneous vs. IM. My Avonex worked well with little to no site reactions and would experience flu-like fever for just the night of the injection, then fine till the next week. With Plegridy I noticed my stumble-like balance came back, and have painful site redness, soreness (worst was a 9” blotch that was hot and red then turned purple/black then back to red on belly fat). Following the Plegridy injection, I would have delay of about 24 hours of no flu-like symptoms, then arrives for three days. I have been seeking word on the street to see if just me having high sensitivity or normal. I was relieved to see others with similar feedback here. All I was getting was everyone quoting “studies say…”. I too am planning to go back to Avonex.Read More Read Less

I have taken 3 doses of this medication with the hope that my body will acclimate to the meds however, each time I have been unable to walk & am bedridden for 24 hours and my flu-like symptoms (achy, headache, sleepy) have lasted for 3 days. So far, the only positive thing I can say about this med is that it is easy to inject.

The cutaneous (skin) reactions have been just horrible. I've been injecting avonex in for 19 years, but was looking forward to smaller needle and every other week. Huge hives that still have completely resolved after 6 weeks. Both thighs and even my stomach. Back to avonex.

It is a very painful shot. I have flu like symptoms for 3 days to the point I am in the bed. I have injection site swelling and rednesss spreading from one side of my thigh to the other. Finally, I had to be treated with antibiotics for skin infection. It is the worse MS treatment I have used. I have had MS for 15 years.

Side effects of flu like symptoms are horrible. I have taken 3 injections now and each time the "flu" last longer. So far this trip, two days in bed. Pain, ache, fever, chills.

The application method is cumbersome and ridiculously packaged. I took Avonex for 17 years with little to no side effects. I switched to Tecfidera but had to discontinue because I tested positive for possibility of contracting PLM disease. I started Plegridy and since it is supposedly the same medication (interferon beta 1a) as Avonex I felt it was a reasonable expectation I would not experience the plethora of side effects I have experienced: 7-10 days of flu-like symptoms, nausea, depression, weakness, injection site issues lasting for days/weeks, even strange bowel movements. I will not be continuing this medication.Read More Read Less