Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: INTERFERON BETA 1a (in-ter-FEER-on BAY-tah)
This medicine is an interferon used to treat certain types of multiple sclerosis (MS). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking blood thinners (such as warfarin), medicines for depression, or medicines that may affect your bone marrow or liver. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about whether any medicine you are taking may affect your bone marrow or liver. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including any mental or mood disorders (such as depression), history of suicidal thoughts or attempts, liver problems, heart problems, history of alcohol abuse, seizures, thyroid problems, blood problems (such as anemia), bleeding problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully each time you refill this medicine. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This medicine may be administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. This medicine is sometimes used at home as an injection. If you are using this medicine at home, a healthcare professional will provide detailed instructions for its appropriate use. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine or giving injections. If the medicine contains particles, is discolored, or if the syringe is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it. Be sure to follow the procedure demonstrated to you to prevent contamination of the syringe or medicine. Never touch the needle of the syringe with your fingers. USE A DIFFERENT SITE each time you inject. Do not use the same injection site repeatedly. Do not make an injection into skin that is tender, red, or hard. STORE THIS MEDICINE in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. This medicine may be stored at room temperature up to 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from heat and light for up to 30 days if a refrigerator is not available. Discard any medicine left in the syringe after your dose. Use this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Using this medicine at the same times each week will help you to remember. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, use it as soon as possible, then skip the following day. DO NOT use 2 doses at once. Do not use this medicine on two consecutive days. Return to your regular schedule the following week.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it, to any other interferon beta, to human albumin, or if you are allergic to any ingredient in this product. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not use any more of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or use this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. DO NOT CHANGE YOUR DOSE OR STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including blood counts, liver function tests, and thyroid function tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREAMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. SOME PATIENTS BECOME depressed or suicidal while taking this medicine. If you begin to feel depressed or suicidal, contact your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause drowsiness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicine, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. THIS MEDICINE MAY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BLOOD CELLS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR CLOTTING. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any unusual bruising or bleeding. THIS MEDICINE MAY LOWER YOUR RESISTANCE TO INFECTION. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first. THIS MEDICINE CONTAINS ALBUMIN, which comes from human blood. There is an extremely rare risk of developing a viral disease, or a central nervous system disease called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. No cases of viral disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease from albumin have been identified. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes vitamins, herbal products, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen), aspirin, or any medicines containing acetaminophen. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE HARM to the human fetus. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS DRUG IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include headache; drowsiness; dry mouth; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; or flu-like symptoms (such as fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, dizziness or weakness). If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience vision changes; muscle, bone, or back pain; stomach pain; change in frequency of urination or amount of urine produced; loss of coordination; or unexplained weight changes or feeling hot or cold all the time. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain; mental or mood changes (such as depression); thoughts of suicide; seizures; persistent fever, chills, or sore throat; easy or unusual bruising or bleeding; swelling of the glands in your neck or your armpits; dark urine; yellowing of the eyes or skin; extreme fatigue or weakness; or blisters, ulcers, or sores at the injection site. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain local regulations for selecting an appropriate container and properly disposing of the container when it is full. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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