Avonex and Flu-Like Symptoms: What Users Say

• joe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 21, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was on it for 18 months. It was like taking a shot of the flu every week. The side effects never got better. After massive amounts of research, I finally went to supplements, healthy eating, mindfulness, taking toxins out of my daily life, exercise, and of course, prayer. I still live with my MS symptoms, but I will work out at the gym, I will ride my bike 100 miles this week, and continue working productively. Don't ever give up!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 11, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been taking Avonex for close to 16 years, and my biggest fear in the world is losing access to it. I started on Betaseron but had to stop because of injection site reactions and severe flu symptoms. I had been through everything: complete invalidity, lying in a hospital bed to basically healthy, with no noticeable symptoms at all. But since being on the Avonex, I have only very minor exacerbations, less than one per year. In the last 10+ years, I have not missed any work or canceled any vacations for MS issues. My only problem is the cost."

• Pam...
• October 26, 2011

For Multiple Sclerosis "I recommend Avonex 100%. I have had MS for 8 years, and since then, I have had no new lesions or episodes. The flu-like symptoms were bad for the first 3 or 4 years but have since basically disappeared. Occasionally, I will have headaches the morning after the shot. Hope this helps you in your decision to choose Avonex."

• Nhl...
• September 13, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I just started this medication. With each injection, the side effects have gotten worse. I did my 3rd dose last night, and I'm miserable. The body/muscle aches, headaches, etc. are about unbearable. Each time, I took two 500 mg Tylenol before my injection as recommended by my training nurse. I was told about the flu-like symptoms, read the booklet my neuro gave me, but I thought the symptoms would subside at least halfway through the next day. I am so pained. I keep taking Tylenol and even my muscle relaxer, hoping for relief. But nothing seems to help. I called into Biogen after my 2nd dose. No help. Copaxone gave me bad brain fog and injection site reactions. Tecfidera kept me in the bathroom in unbelievable pain. Not sure what to do now."

• Eug...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 17, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "I started Avonex about 6 months after diagnosis. I got terribly sick after injecting. It was like coming down with the flu once a week. I felt feverish and painfully achy. I took naproxen, and that helped. Later on, I asked my neurologist for Vicodin to help out with the achy pain. Together, the medicines helped the side effects. I never miss a week, and as I injected more and more, the side effects have lessened to the point that with Vicodin I can work well on my injection days. I cannot sleep through the night on an injection. I sleep poorly and wake up in pain several times. I have not had a relapse in five years on Avonex, though my balance and leg have slowly worsened somewhat. I still work my feet full time."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2008

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been using it for 7 years and have not had an episode since. I have a very mild case, but my diagnosis was more than 15 years ago, so I was concerned about the secondary progressive symptoms of MS...none to report to date. I have found with the flu-like side effects that if I take the shot about 2 hours before bed and sleep for 6 hours without interruption, then I do not suffer from any side effects. The side effects are not as severe as in the beginning, they are just aching joints that are irritating, not 'painful.'"

• You...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 21, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been taking Avonex for over ten years now. I always take it at room temperature, one hour before bed and on Saturday nights so I can relax the next day. I only had flu-like symptoms when I first started taking it or if I missed a couple of weeks. I take two Motrin when going to bed and never have any issues sleeping. I have had MS for over 20 years now and have found Avonex to work best for me. I have one or two pseudo-exacerbations each year but have had no major flares for years now, knocking on wood..."

• Jen...
• February 21, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Avonex since August 2017, had flu-like symptoms after injecting, but they went away after 24 hours. Now, 7 months later, feeling anxious, sleepless nights, dizzy spells, weakness, and unstable when walking. Anyone else had this experience? I am not sure if it's medicine-related or not, but can't help thinking it is. Thinking about changing my meds, but don't think I could inject more than once a week."

• Sis...
• March 7, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "I am an RN working on my master's degree. I used to be an Avonex nurse. The biggest issue I found regarding the flu-like symptoms is that people forget to hydrate well the day of and sometimes the day before the injection. Or, they were ill some days before the injection (vomiting or diarrhea maybe from a stomach bug), or they ran a marathon a few days before. Always consult your physician on hydration, but unless you have fluid restrictions for medical reasons, you should be drinking 8 glasses of water a day (usually 64 ounces a day), or more if you exercise and are active regularly. You must stay hydrated with MS, especially if you will be out in the sun to prevent the 'flare' symptoms. (There are some blog sites for MS patients that swear by eating pineapple before the injection too - something about the enzymes in pineapple that helps combat side effects, and many patients reported this to me as well.)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 7, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was responsible for my insurance deductible, but the insurance covered the rest. This once-a-week medication is very convenient, and I would recommend it. After the first few injections, I had the chills and flu-like symptoms, and the symptoms decreased as time went on. After the initial few issues, I injected weekly without symptoms."

• 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?"

• 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."

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

For Multiple Sclerosis "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."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "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."