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Avonex contains the active ingredient, interferon beta-1a protein, which is indicated in the treatment of adult relapsing multiple sclerosis. Let's learn about the uses, dosage and notes when using Avonex through the article below.
1. Uses of Avonex
“What is Avonex?”. Avonex contains the active protein interferon beta-1a, an active ingredient derived from human protein, which is naturally produced by the body to help fight the attack of bacteria and other pathogens. Avonex is a prescription medication indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. In people with multiple sclerosis (MS), the body's immune system misbehaves, fighting against and attacking central nervous system organs (spinal cord, brain, spinal nerves) causing damage. nerves and surrounding insulation.
Interferon beta-1a, although not a complete cure for MS, but they help slow the progression of the disease, reduce flare-ups (eg, stress problems, weakness, numbness).
2. Indications of the drug Avonex
"What effects does Avonex drug and is indicated in the treatment of which diseases?". Avonex injection is indicated in the following conditions:
Relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults: A disease caused by inflammation that damages the protective insulation of nerves (demyelinating). ) as well as nerve damage. In relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the patient will experience recurrent episodes between periods of no symptoms. The effect of the drug Avonex is to slow down the development, reduce the number of relapses; Patients with a history of damage to the myelin sheath, when the condition is severe, requires treatment with injectable corticosteroids. In this case, the patient was treated with Avonex when there was a high risk of MS. Before treatment, your doctor will rule out other possible causes of myelin sheath damage.
3. Dosage of Avonex
Avonex drug is prepared in the form of injection, each syringe contains 30 microgan Interferon beta-1a. Each prefilled syringe or pen is for one-time use only. The patient should throw away the medicine after use, even if there is still medicine inside.
Avonex medicine is stored in the refrigerator, away from sunlight, because the risk of drug decomposition increases at high temperatures.
For Avonex in the form of powder for injection, after mixing the powder with the injection solution, the suspension should be stored in the refrigerator and used within 6 hours.
For Avonex medicine in the form of a syringe solution that can be taken out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before injection, warm the medicine to room temperature (do not reheat the medicine by any method of heating or placing it in hot water). ).
The recommended dose of Avonex in adults (18 years of age and older) is 30 micrograms IM once weekly. Patients may be given a lower initial dose to help better adapt to the drug. The injection site should be changed every week. Patients can self-inject the drug when trained by medical staff.
Antipyretic analgesics can be used before each Avonex injection and within 24 hours of the injection to help relieve flu-like symptoms that occur during the first 1-2 months of treatment.
Before using Avonex, the patient should carefully inspect the syringe with the naked eye to detect whether the drug solution has particles or abnormal discoloration. In case of abnormal changes, the patient must not use the vial for injection.
Before each use of Avonex, the patient should clean the injection site with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Note: Do not inject the medicine into painful, red, scarred or infected skin. The injection site should be indicated by the treating physician. Patients should inform the treating doctor of any skin reactions that do not go away after a few days of injection.
4. Avonex side effects
Most of patients treated with Avonex in the first time appear flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, headache, fever, chills, muscle aches... Symptoms last about 1 day after injection and will improve or disappear after 1-2 months of treatment. Patients can reduce the risk of this side effect by injecting the drug before going to bed, using pain relievers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen before each injection.
Patients should immediately notify the treating doctor in case of experiencing serious side effects as follows: Mood changes (eg, new depression, worsening of depression, confusion). psychosis, suicidal thoughts), feeling too cold or too hot, easy bleeding, blue fingers, pus discharge, bruising, skin color change at the injection site, joint pain and swelling, kidney signs such as changes in the amount of urine, liver signs such as vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, jaundice, yellowing of the eyes, dark urine, new or worsening symptoms of heart failure (swollen ankles, shortness of breath, foot pain, unusual tiredness, sudden weight gain).
5. Notes when using Avonex
Before being treated with Avonex, the patient needs to inform the doctor treating the existing medical conditions and drug allergy history as follows:
The patient is being treated for mental illnesses or has ever been treated for any any previous mental illness (including depression, suicidal behavior); You have bleeding problems, blood clots, low blood cell counts, liver problems, seizures (epilepsy), heart problems, thyroid problems, kidney problems. immune system; The patient has a history of alcohol consumption; Patients who are allergic to latex or rubber; Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; Women are breastfeeding. Because Avonex can cross the breast milk barrier; Interferon can make a person more susceptible to infection as well as worsen any infection. Therefore, sick people need to limit contact with people with infectious infections such as measles, chickenpox, flu. Avonex contains the active ingredient interferon beta-1a, which is indicated in the treatment of adult relapsing multiple sclerosis. To ensure the effectiveness of treatment and avoid unwanted side effects, patients need to strictly follow the instructions of the doctor, professional pharmacist.
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