Avonex and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• June 28, 2011

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been an MS patient since I was 17. I am 29 now. I have been using Avonex for 10 years now and am so happy with the results. I take it before I go to bed at night on the weekend. I also take a couple of Tylenol with codeine (#1) and usually only have a slight headache when I wake up in the morning. I do get a lot of migraines, but who knows if that has anything to do with the medication or the fact that I have Multiple Sclerosis. Avonex has worked wonders for me. I usually only have an MS attack on average every 3 to 4 years, and they aren't usually that severe. I have relapsing and remitting MS. I would recommend Avonex to anyone who is newly diagnosed. It has changed my life."

• Nur...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 29, 2014

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Avonex for about 5 years and have had no relapses. Have had Multiple Sclerosis for 14 years. Great to have 1 injection a week rather than 3 with Rebif, which I was on before or Copaxone every day. The only drawback is the headache and tiredness felt the day after. These symptoms have not improved at all for 5 years. Starting to have spasm attacks at night recently, so might change to another medicine. Very effective medicine, though, never had any relapses, and that's the most important thing!"

• 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."

• NC ...
• February 2, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've only been on Avonex for 2 weeks, but I have not experienced any of the bad side effects that others have mentioned. Had just a slight headache the first time, and nothing today. I do take 2 ibuprofen twice on injection day, along with an Aleve and perhaps 2 liters of water. Despite my initial fears, the injection is painless."

• Anonymous
• July 11, 2009

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have had MS for well over a decade and have been on AVONEX for 2.5 years. I believe this medicine is working well. I have had one small clinical relapse. I make sure to drink plenty of water during the day and take ibuprofen before my injection. I have had a headache a few times the following morning. This is the only possible side effect I have had."

• chi...
• March 25, 2010

For Multiple Sclerosis "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."