Avonex

Before taking this medicine

Do not use Avonex if you have had an allergic reaction to natural or recombinant interferon beta or any ingredient in the formulation. Conditions requiring caution include depression or other serious mental health symptoms, liver problems, significant heart disease, low blood cell counts and autoimmune disorders. Report depression, suicidal thoughts or symptoms of psychosis immediately. Liver function and blood counts should be monitored, and people with significant heart disease should be monitored for worsening symptoms. Do not inject into an affected area of skin until it has fully healed. Serious allergic reactions require stopping Avonex. Treatment must also be stopped if thrombotic microangiopathy, a condition involving blood clots in small blood vessels, is identified, or if pulmonary arterial hypertension, high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, is diagnosed. Pregnancy requires caution. Human data do not suggest a clear link with major birth defects, but animal data indicate possible harm to the unborn baby.