Interferon Beta-1a

What is this interferon beta-1a?

Interferon beta-1a is a type of medicine called an interferon. Interferons are made by your child's body. Interferon beta-1a is used for certain types of multiple sclerosis. This medicine is a preventer medicine. Interferon beta-1a may slow down the disease and reduce the number of flare-ups. Interferon beta-1a will not cure multiple sclerosis.

You may also hear interferon beta-1a called by its brand name, Avonex.

How should you give your child interferon beta-1a?

Follow these instructions when you give your child interferon beta-1a:

• Interferon beta-1a is given by injection or needle into the muscle. Give injections into the muscle exactly as your child's nurse or doctor showed you.
• Make sure that you ask your nurse, doctor, or pharmacist to show you how to mix the medicine.
• Give your child interferon beta-1a at the same time each week. Give the dose in the evening, if possible. Pick a day and time that is easy for you so that you do not miss a dose.
• Give acetaminophen (like Tempra or Tylenol) to your child before interferon beta-1a, if your child has felt like they have the flu after receiving interferon beta-1a. Continue to give acetaminophen to your child as directed for the next 24 hours after they receive interferon beta-1a.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of interferon beta-1a?

If your child misses a dose of interferon beta-1a:

• Give your child the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• Give your child the next dose at the usual time. Wait at least 2 days between doses. For example, if the usual dose day is Monday and you remember on Thursday, give the dose when you remember. Then return to Monday dosing. If the usual dose day is Monday and you remember on Saturday, give the dose. Wait 2 days. Give the next dose on Tuesday. Then return to Monday dosing.
  

What are the possible side effects of interferon beta-1a?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take interferon beta-1a. But usually your child will not need to see a doctor about them.

These side effects may go away as your child's body gets used to interferon beta-1a (up to 2 months). Check with your child's doctor if your child has any of these signs or symptoms and they do not go away or they bother your child:

• headache
• upset stomach
• redness and swelling where needle was given

Flu-like symptoms may start 2 to 8 hours after receiving interferon beta-1a and stop in 24 to 48 hours. Flu symptoms include:

• sweating
• fever
• chills
• weakness
• muscle aches

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or go to the Emergency Department if your child has any of these signs:

• seizures (fits)
• pale lips or skin
• mood change
• unusual tiredness

What other important information should you know about interferon beta-1a?

• Interferon beta-1a contains albumin, a human blood product. Talk to your child's doctor about any concerns you may have about blood products.
• When your child starts interferon beta-1a, they may feel worse for a few days or weeks before starting to feel better.
• Use needles and syringes only once. Discard used needles and syringes in the special container given to you. When the container is full, safely dispose of it as you were told.
• Keep interferon beta-1a in the refrigerator. Do not freeze this medicine or let it get hot. Unmixed interferon beta-1a may be left out of the refrigerator for up to 30 days, if a refrigerator is not available and as long as the temperature where it is kept is less than 25℃. After 30 days out of the refrigerator, throw away any interferon beta-1a that you have not used.
• Interferon beta-1a must be given within 6 hours once it has been mixed. Throw it away after 6 hours.
• You can help decrease the chances of your child becoming sore at the injection site by:
• allowing interferon beta-1a to come to room temperature before giving
• rotating sites of injection, as instructed
• changing the needle before giving
• using proper injection method
• cooling the injection site area (with a cold cloth or cold pack)
• massaging the injection site after interferon beta-1a is given
• Interferon beta-1a may make your child's skin more likely to sunburn. Make sure your child covers their skin and head with clothing and a hat when outside. Your child should also use sunscreen (a cream that protects the skin from the sun). Look for a sunscreen that says it protects against the sun's ultraviolet rays, called UVA and UVB rays. The sunscreen should have a sun protection factor, called SPF, of at least 15. Ask your pharmacist to help you pick the right sunscreen.
• If your child could get pregnant, she should use some kind of birth control while getting interferon beta-1a. Tell the doctor right away if your child may be pregnant.
• Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before you give your child any other medicine, even medicines you can buy without a doctor's order (prescription).
• Keep all medicines out of your child's sight and reach.
  

Keep interferon beta-1a out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much interferon beta-1a, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.