Interferon beta-1a

["Before taking this medicine", "You should not use interferon beta-1a if you are allergic to natural or recombinant interferon beta or albumin.", "Tell your doctor if you have ever had:", "\\\\nbleeding problems or a blood clot \\\\n\\\\n\\\\ndepression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions \\\\n\\\\n\\\\nliver disease \\\\n\\\\n\\\\nbleeding problems \\\\n\\\\n\\\\nlow blood cell counts \\\\n\\\\n\\\\nheart disease \\\\n\\\\n\\\\na thyroid disorder \\\\n\\\\n\\\\na latex allergy \\\\n\\\\n\\\\nan autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriasis \\\\n\\\\n\\\\na seizure or\\\\n\\\\n\\\\nif you drink alcohol.\\\\n", "Some brands of interferon beta-1a contain donated human plasma and may contain viruses or other infectious agents Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of contamination, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease Ask your doctor about any possible risk.", "Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.", "Interferon beta-1a is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.", "", "How should I use interferon beta-1a?", "Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets Your doctor may occasionally change your dose Use the medicine exactly as directed.", "Interferon beta-1a is given by injection A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.", "Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.", "Avonex is injected into a muscle, usually once weekly at bedtime, on the same day each week (such as every Monday).", "Rebif is injected under the skin, usually 3 times per week (such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) at the same time on each dosing day.", "The powder form of this medicine must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it Call your pharmacist for new medicine.", "Your care provider will show you where on your body to inject interferon beta-1a Use a different place each time you give an injection Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.", "About 2 hours after your injection, check for skin redness, swelling, or pain where you gave the injection Call your doctor if you have a skin reaction that does not go away within a few days.", "This medicine can cause flu-like symptoms, especially when you first start using it You may be given other medications to help prevent these symptoms Keep using these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.", "\\\\n\\\\n", "You will need frequent medical tests.", "Each prefilled syringe or injection pen is for one use only Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.", "Store this medicine in the refrigerator Protect from light and do not freeze.", "After mixing the powder form of interferon beta-1a with a diluent, store the mixture in a refrigerator and use it within 6 hours.", "The Avonex prefilled syringe or autoinjector may be removed from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before your injection, to reach room temperature Do not warm the medicine under hot water.", "You may also store interferon beta-1a for a short time at cool room temperature protected from light.", "\\\\nDo not leave the Avonex prefilled syringe or autoinjector out of a refrigerator for longer than 7 days.\\\\n\\\\n\\\\nDo not leave the Avonex vial or the Rebif prefilled syringe or autoinjector out of a refrigerator for longer than a total of 30 days.\\\\n", "Do not freeze interferon beta-1a, and throw away the medicine if it has become frozen.", "Each vial, syringe, or autoinjector is for one use only Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.", "Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof \\\\"sharps\\\\" container Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.", "", ""]