Avonex Pen Disease Interactions

Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.

Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.

Interferons (alfa or beta) can induce depression and suicidal behavior. Suicidal attempts and suicides have been reported. Therapy with interferons (alfa or beta) should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to mental depression. Clinical monitoring of psychological status is recommended.

Severe hepatic injury, including hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, cases of hepatic failure and asymptomatic transient increases in the concentrations of serum transaminases, have been reported in patients treated with beta interferons. In some cases, these events have occurred in the presence of other drugs that have been associated with hepatic injury. The potential risk of these agents used in combination with known hepatotoxic drugs or other products (e.g., alcohol) should be considered before starting therapy, or before starting hepatotoxic drugs. Patients should be monitored for signs of hepatic injury, including the regular monitoring of liver function tests, and discontinuation of therapy should be considered if serum transaminase levels significantly increase or if hepatic injury occurs.