Interferon beta-1a User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• msg...
• November 15, 2008

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have used Avonex for about a month now to treat my MS. I have a mild case, and symptoms are not too severe. I appreciate the once-a-week injection (hate needles) but am feeling the side effects. I use Tylenol PM when I take the injections, and that does seem to help. We take the injections on Thursday, and I am able to work from home on Fridays. I am very tired, but usually better by Saturday. I definitely recommend this based on the once-a-week injection vs. the daily or every-other-day injection of the other choices for MS. Good luck."

• COD...
• July 21, 2008

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with MS in March 2008 and started Avonex in May. My symptoms were numbness and tingling in my right leg and my right arm and hand, which was sometimes painful (like holding your hand in an ice bucket). The only symptoms I experience now are numbness and tingling in the fingers of my right hand and some frequency of urination. This medicine is great. My body aches all over for about 6 hours after I get the injection, and it's over about 6 hours later."

• Msr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 5, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I am almost 68 years old; diagnosed with LOMS in '15. Immediately went on Avonex (weekly self-injectable pen). Symptoms have not progressed, and I am stable over the past 2.5 years. I do well with the shots; have learned to travel with medication and have taken care of my needs worldwide! I initially had flu-like symptoms post-injection, but they dissipated over time. Here at 30 months later, I had a really bad episode of wracking chills and muscle aches just last PM. I feel worn out and sore this AM. Why, after all this time, did I have this reaction? I have never missed a dose, so it's not like I am reintroducing medication to my system. Is anyone else having this problem?"

• Rod...
• August 7, 2010

For Multiple Sclerosis "While the Avonex was extremely effective on the lesions (they became smaller, and some actually disappeared!). However, the side effects were severe. It literally took me out for 3 days (totally). It took about 2 more days to do anything above the bare minimum, i.e., go to work, come home, eat, and sleep, and I had about a day and a half to get everything else done, such as grocery shopping and mowing the yard and taking out the garbage. Let alone housekeeping. I finally just switched to Copaxone due to anxiety over injecting the drug with such a large needle and to counteract the side effects of Avonex."

• Fre...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 29, 2020

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was on Rebif for 9 years. The first 8.5 years were fine. The side effects were basically minimal and easy to handle. I eventually developed injection site reactions at 5 of the 8 recommended sites. These were essentially knot-like masses below the skin surface, kind of like a weird reaction. I stopped taking it about 4 years ago. The masses are very slowly shrinking, one is gone as far as I can tell. If I could do it over again - would I? Yes, in my opinion, it worked for 9 years."

• Car...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 11, 2021

For Multiple Sclerosis "Not a lover of injections, but once a week I will persevere. It’s been about five years since I had a flare-up. It’s just the psychological thought of the IM injection, which truthfully doesn’t really hurt. I will continue with this as it’s working, and I am taking my injection on Saturday night. The following day, I am very tired, but it’s Sunday, so a day to relax!"

• ADD...
• February 17, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "After diagnosis of MS in 2008, I researched the available MS medications. I chose Avonex, my brain lesions have decreased and shrunk. My symptoms have improved. I have not had a relapse. This medication has been a godsend for me. Now I will have to switch to another medication because of insurance. I'm researching the approved meds, and none are meeting my needs. I believe in Avonex."

• Fac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I'm 19 years old and have been ill for 6 years but only officially diagnosed less than 1 year ago. Due to my age, doctors wouldn't even consider MS. I've been on Rebif for 4 months, along with 2 infusions of Solumedrol, and I am going downhill fast. I fall daily, go blind and deaf, and lose use of limbs a few times a week. I had to drop out of college due to cognitive issues when I had been a 4.0 student. Rebif has not helped. I struggle to walk, talk, think, or even do basic things like eat. I feel Rebif should've helped by now. My mom has a $150 copay that Rebif pays, so that's a plus. I have an appointment with a new MS specialist soon and will ask for a new medication. I'm not waiting for the '6 month' trial period."

• M r...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 5, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have had multiple sclerosis since 07/2007. On 05/2012, I had a relapse. I have been on Rebif since 07/2007, it's awful to have this relapse, my right arm is still not 100% back. Rebif is a good medicine, though, I have minimal to no side effects. I do get severe hot flashes during the times I do get to sleep, leaving me to have to constantly change my shirt every 2 hours. Regardless, I'm kind of upset that I went through a relapse within 5 years of being diagnosed."

• Bak...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 20, 2020

For Multiple Sclerosis "When I was first diagnosed with MS, I tried Copaxone and Tecfidera. Both of these gave me side effects that I couldn't handle, but Rebif has been virtually side effect-free for me. I know everyone is different. All I have to do is take one Advil before an injection, and I do not have any of the flu-ish side effects. I have been on this for 3 years now with no new progression of lesions. I will say when I was first diagnosed, I was terrified of all medicine, and the thought of doing an injection was so scary. Now it's nothing. I still have other issues with my MS, and I've thought about trying a new medicine, but after looking at the newer medicines, the side effects scare me. I think this one is worth a try."

• CVH...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 24, 2015

For Multiple Sclerosis "I started on Betaseron when it came out. I changed to Avonex when it came out, mainly because it was once a week. I get the side effects of flu-like symptoms, usually a few hours the next day. I have continued to be active and have no new lesions. It has worked for me so far. I'm 60, so I have been blessed."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2022

For Multiple Sclerosis "This was the drug from hell for me. I would be wildly ill for 2-3 days after taking it each week. I developed new lesions while on it. I switched doctors, and the new one took me right off of it, thank goodness!"

• RPa...
• December 2, 2008

For Multiple Sclerosis "I used Avonex from 1997 to 2002. I did not tolerate it well. Even though I took the injection at night, and an hour after two extra-strength Tylenol, I was down and out for 24 hours. I would have stayed on it because it seemed to really minimize the MS symptoms. But an MRI in 2002 showed that the MS was progressing (more plaques on the brain), so the doctor changed me to Beta-Seron. I had two relapses in the last 6 years, but in the last 18 months, there has been no change, and I am doing well. I tolerate the Beta-Seron well, but on two occasions in the past year, I had flu-like reactions, which I reported."

• CMa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 4, 2021

For Multiple Sclerosis "My MS therapy was changed to Rebif about 20 years ago because my MS symptoms progressed while on the other therapy. I didn't have any side effects with Rebif, but my MS continued to progress, so I was changed to a different therapy."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2022

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have only been using Rebif for about 3 months. I started on the low dose and worked my way up to a full dose. I have been on the full dose just shy of 2 months. I started to notice a sore crop up here and there in my mouth and thought it was a canker sore and it would go away after a day or two. Recently, I got a HUGE sore on my lip. Super swollen and throbbing, eventually leading to what appeared to be a blister. The doctor said to stop the meds immediately. I also have been sick for 2 months and have had 3 rounds of antibiotics and prednisone for respiratory issues. I have no idea if the meds were helping. Frankly, when you read about all of the meds, it's a bit scary. Don't know what direction I will go from here."

• Ter...
• April 19, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've been on Avonex almost eight months. A little flu-like symptoms the following day. It gets worse if I've had too much coffee, less 'achey' if I'm drinking plenty of water the day before. I'm fairly new to MS, so I don't know if it's stopping the lesions, but I feel better than a year ago. Fortunately, I am in a copay assistance program, so it's zero out of pocket. Thank you, Biogen."

• Tam...
• May 17, 2022

For Multiple Sclerosis "This was my second shot at medication. After my first injection, I had severe flu-like symptoms that lasted for 24 hours: banging headache, aching limbs, vomiting, unable to mobilize much. I tried injecting at night and would take some painkillers an hour before to see if it helped with the flu-like symptoms. At first, it seemed to not be as bad. However, I ended up having to take every Tuesday off work (injection night was Monday before bed), and it got to a point I couldn't even take my daughter to or pick her up from school on the Tuesday, I had to rely on family. I was on this medication for just shy of one year, and the time frame for the side effects just increased, going from 24 hours to sometimes 6 days. Eventually, enough was enough, I am a single mum, and the only reason I am trying medications is to ensure my daughter still had her mum present and able, which was not the case with this medication."

• Kar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 5, 2021

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've been on Avonex for the past 25 years and have been VERY happy with it. I get some chills and achiness the day of the injection, but as long as I take Motrin or Tylenol, it's under control. Very few new lesions from when I was first diagnosed. Sadly, my insurance just changed, and my new one doesn't cover Avonex. So I'm looking at other treatments and am not happy about it."

• Sau...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 27, 2015

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed in 2005. Started out Rebif in 2007, then I had many symptoms when I was on it: less sensation in my tongue, hands, feet, and also vertigo. I changed the interferon to another type, which I take more often, but still the same as interferon. Not sure about the name, it was horrible too. Then changed to Avonex, it was the worst. I stopped all since 2011 and never had any symptoms since then, but I will search and start something."

• Biz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 4, 2015

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been using Avonex since October 2008. When the pen was made available, I was ecstatic! This meant I didn't have to rely on my husband to do the syringe injection, without seeing a needle, I could do it myself. I used the pen for about 2.5 years. In that time, several mishaps occurred: the blue button wouldn't work, the needle fell out, the final problem: the needle stuck in my leg after pulling the pen from my leg! Needless to say, I am back to depending on my husband again. The flu-like symptoms are the same with both forms of injection. I would go back to the pen in a heartbeat if it had been improved and dependable."

• Emg...
• March 10, 2010

For Multiple Sclerosis "I began using Avonex when I was diagnosed in March of 2007. I think it has done wonders to stave off the progress of the disease. I have not had a major relapse since being on the medication, nor have I ever had an injection site reaction. Side effects were aches and flu-like symptoms the following day, which subsided with the following techniques: Day of injection, filling up on fluids. Two hours prior to injection, taking two ibuprofen. Injection in the buttocks rather than thigh-this made a big difference. Injecting two hours prior to bed, then taking one more ibuprofen before sleep. Keeping hydrated the day after the injection. I love that it's once a week and there are no red sores from the injection as with other MS medicines."

• mkb...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 21, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "Diagnosed in 1997, immediately started with the older version of the syringe, pill, and liquid, which I had to mix and then inject. Started with the prefilled syringes around 2005. Initial signs prior to medication were double vision and a pins-and-needles sensation on the right side and loss of sensitivity in my hands. Occasionally, the exacerbation may come with weakness on one side of my body. Currently, I might have one exacerbation every few years. When I do have an 'attack,' my doctors give high-dose steroids, and I usually come out of it relatively quickly with no major residual effects. Avonex has worked well for me."

• smi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 10, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "I had no issues the first 6 months on Rebif. Medicated before each injection, so didn't get the flu-like symptoms. However, things changed starting at month 6. Started getting red, itchy spots at the injection sites. Also got cellulitis 4 times. And to top it off, got 1 new lesion. Still on it, but in the process of switching to Tysabri. 2 lesions did shrink in size though."

• jim...
• January 24, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been diagnosed since I was 32 years old, I am now 59 years old. I started on Avonex, which lasted a couple of years before I went on Rebif 44 mcg and have been fairly stable. I certainly look really healthy, but the nature of my work was long hours and physically and mentally stressful. Rebif must have helped, but I also relied on pain meds and muscle relaxers, or I would have never survived."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "Been on Avonex for 1 year now. Had one minor relapse in this period. Still come down with flu-like symptoms for 1 to 2 days every week. Difficult to cope with work and household responsibilities on those 2 days. Also bad for social life. My MS symptoms gradually get worse, but I manage. Don't know for sure whether the interferon has a positive effect on slowing the progression of my MS, but I think/hope it does."