Avonex for Multiple Sclerosis User Reviews (Page 2)

• Dee...
• October 8, 2020

"Diagnosed with MS in 1998 and have used Avonex since then. Very content with this med. I take either ibuprofen or acetaminophen prior to injecting. No problems. I am thankful. Biogen helps with the cost."

• chi...
• March 25, 2010

"I have had MS for over 25 years now and have been on Avonex for about 2 months. I find the shots to be tolerable (given to me by someone else), and the side effects are not too horrible. About 6 hours after injection, I have chills, muscle and joint aches, and a slight headache. These effects last for approx. 4 hours. The following day, I feel tired but okay. Not sure if it is helping. I hope so... time will tell. After all is said and done, the shots and the side effects are not so bad."

• Mar...
• June 17, 2011

"I have been on Avonex for 1 month. I chose it due to the injections once a week. I do not even feel the needle or medication go in. I do ice the area well for 3 minutes and make sure the alcohol dries completely before injecting with the smaller needle. Each week the side effects have been easier, but they are still quite strong. I do sleep 8 hours after the injection but wake feeling like I did not sleep at all and like I was run over by a truck until about 20 hours after the injection. It has taken 3 days to get my energy back so far. However, I do notice that my Multiple Sclerosis symptoms have improved, and I have had feeling in my left foot for the first time since my first attack 3 months ago, so that makes it worth sticking with for now."

• msg...
• November 15, 2008

"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."

• The...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 20, 2020

"I have been using Avonex for 15 years now, and I have had no new lesions after year two on the spine or brain. Which shows how positive this drug is for slowing the MS process down. Hate the side effects, but love the med!"

• Rod...
• August 7, 2010

"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."

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

"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?"

• Abo...
• April 10, 2023

"I have been on Avonex for 19 years, and through those years, doctors have suggested I use the pill or other medications I do not need to inject once a week. I always say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I am staying on this medication until there is a cure, hopefully in my time. My suggestion to anyone taking this medicine is to take it before you go to sleep, and the next day you do not do any strenuous activities. This medicine has helped me, I have not missed a shot within the 19 years I have been on it. All those taking this medicine, be consistent."

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

"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!"

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

"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!"

• Tam...
• May 17, 2022

"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."

• RPa...
• December 2, 2008

"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."

• Ter...
• April 19, 2017

"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."

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

"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."

• LB1...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 23, 2024

"Taking for 7 years with few issues except flu-like symptoms 24-48 hr after injection. This is worst 4-8 hr after treatment, then 24 hr and 48 hr after in waves. Simple painkiller largely reduces. Easy to use once the barrier of injecting yourself is overcome. Sharps bin disposal via delivery company and home delivery. No issue storing in fridge. MS hasn’t gotten worse since started."

• JBJ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 24, 2024

"I've been on Avonex for 26 years. I had a choice of Avonex or Copaxone back then. I chose wisely. I have had very mild or no relapses and very little progression. Injections were daunting at first, but a piece of cake now. I use the prefilled syringe after they took the powdered form away. I still take 2 Motrin before injection and inject before bed once a week. The price charged for 4 injections is like $8,800. Thank heavens for insurance."

• Ant...
• August 19, 2016

"My body couldn't tolerate this medication."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2012

"The flu-like symptoms are horrible. I was told to take Tylenol nighttime before I took the shot. I did, and it seems to help with the effects of the shot."

• Sta...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 25, 2022

"Avonex has been working great for me. Been taking it for 12 years now."

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

"I started my MS therapy with Avonex about 25 years ago. I didn't have any side effects with it, but my MS progressed, so I was changed to a different therapy."

• Non...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 8, 2020

"I have never had any side effects from this shot at all. Does that mean I don't really have MS?"