avonex and liver

Hi fellow Washingtonian! I've been on Avonex for over 5 years and have never had a reaction like that! I mostly just have a headache or a little achey and that is only once in awhile. I would call my neuro pronto and/or biogen/idec, the makers of Avonex. I think they have someone on call to answer questions. Even the place where you get your Rx should have someone who can answer your question. Best wishes! I sure hope it clears up soon! That must be miserable!

I also hope that he has been doing regular blood work testing to check your liver enzymes every six months, while being on Avonex. I think it's time to ask your Neuro to check you for the neutralizing antibodies now. I don't know the cost, but it IS a blood test.

Copaxone we decided wasn't doing enough for me so we started Avonex, I got my first shot yesterday. So far so good It doesn't Itch or burn like the Copaxone it is just like a little pressure when you finally inject and then it's over. I was amazed and huffing and puffin over nothing. I was more scared than the SQ but I'm happy and once a week sounds better than everyday. On the copaxone I got to where I would give myself a day off occasionally...

1) Has anyone taken a break from their medication for that long (and if so, any consequences) and 2) Has anyone switched from Avonex to Copaxone, and if so, how did you do? I still after all these years lose a day on the weekend due to the side effects of the Avonex and am hoping that will not be the result with Copaxone.

I started out on Avonex and gave up on it after 9 months. The side effects were too debilitating for me (flu-like symptoms). I then switched to Copaxone and stayed on that for about three years. I then quit that because I didn’t like the indentations in my skin. Next on the list was Betaseron. I withstood the side effects for two years before I finally decided that the headaches and fatigue were too much to bear.

I had forgotten that Plegridy even exists, so I looked it up for more info. Turns out it is made by Biogen Idec, who also make and market Avonex and Tysabri. It is a kind of interferon, and is administered via injection every two weeks. The doses are stepped up, with full levels reached after several weeks.

s, and wanted to treat me aggressively. Rebif and Avonex are exactly the same type of interferon, but the dosage and type of injection are what differs. Avonex is 33 mcg once a week...Rebif is 44 mcg 3 times a week. (And it's made from Chinese hamster ovary cells - how hysterical is that??) lol! I have talked to numerous people on Avonex, and they said that they felt llike they had the flu for a day or two after their injection each week.

I have heard the same numbers of people happy and unhappy on each drug. I know that my neuro chose to research Avonex and Tysabri and he prefers Avonex, but he would not have had a problem if I had chosen Copaxone or Rebif. They all claim to be superior and all have studies showing this that and the other. After hearing the recent news about Paxil, I'm starting to doubt all Pharm company claims. This doesn't mean real research. Just the stuff that comes out of the company.

My neuro, who does a wartload of research on AVonex and Tysabri, told me that Avonex "hits its full effect around 6 months," and when I was having symptoms at that time (actaully for me it was 7 to 8 months) did not feel that Avonex had been given a full chance. I think 6 months is jumping the gun a little, just based on the words of one of the major researchers, but I can't tell you that I really know.

My sister has been on Avonex for 10 years and she told me the first couple of months are the worst. And so far it is true, it is getting better with each injection. She said she still has some weeks where it wipes her out but for the most part she is fine with it..

I have had MS for 10 years and I just stopped my AVONEX so I can try and get pregnant I know it sounds stupid but there is no studies on avonex and pregnancy so I just thought I would ask if any one else has been on some treatment or off to get pregnant? and how long were you off your meds ?

What if you are on avonex and you believe you dont have ms, but the dr's do, what are the long term affect of taking avonex?

I was diagnosed in February of this year and was given a prescription for Avonex that day. I had to have a blood test to check my liver function and my AST and ALT levels were way high, and to make a long story short, they still haven't come back down to "normal" and I'm still not on Avonex. Apparently, liver function tests have to be done every 3 months for the first year on Avonex (or any interferon, for that matter), and they recommend 6 to 12 month intervals after that.

t affect your spirits, even though I think depression is listed as a side affect. I have been on Avonex for about a year and a half and have found that my right side reacts better when injected than my left. I also inject in the early evening, then take 2 tylenol and two naprox about an an hour later. Usually I wake up pretty free of the yucks next morning.

) and still have a safe and fulfilling sex life. Your best bet is to discuss this with your doctors and possibly and Infectious Disease Doctor. The doctors may recommend vaccinating your partner. They may also consider the risk of contracting HPV to be a low risk exposure and do nothing. Most people with MS can be vaccinated with "non-live virus" vaccines. Gardasil is a VLP (Virus Like Partials) vaccine (so it is safe) protecting against infection by HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11.

Hi, Debs. Being seriously drunk all the time is of course bad for everyone. Many body systems can be affected. So I doubt any doctor told them it is okay to drink themselves blotto, or to get stoned constantly either. They should be monitored by their primary physician and have bloodwork done periodically, especially to check liver enzyme levels. For Anonex users this is really important, because Avonex and the other interferons can elevate liver enzymes.

Restarted Rebif and only Rebif, stayed off the other meds, alcohol, etc, and liver enzymes shot up again after only a weeek or two. So I stopped and immediately started Copaxone. This was nearly 5 years ago. I've had no side effects other than the inital site reactions and one minor IPIR episode. On Copaxone my attacks went from 4 in a little over a year to 1 every 2-3 years on average.

I started Avonex injections 3 weeks ago (tomorrow will be injection #4) and I am losing hair by the handful! I know that it might sound vain worrying about my hair when there is so many bigger problems to worry about but I don't want to be bald on top of everything else. Anyone with advice or have the same problem???

Hello Everyone :) I haven't been around on the forum or a while due to a string of horrible bad luck, but things are starting to look up so here I am :). I have a question about DMDs I have been on Avonex now for 5 weeks and have noticed a huge difference in my muscle spasms. It's as if the off switch got flipped! I went from having them literally 24/7 literally. My neuro said she hadn't really seen anything quite that severe she could see muscle spasms everywhere during my exams.

My own ALT and AST are considered slightly elevated, maybe about your range. My PCP made note of that but is not at all alarmed. I am on Avonex and a couple of other meds that can cause elevation, so naturally this is being watched. My neuro is very casual in this regard, which may not be a good thing for a lot of patients who may not knowledgeable, but luckily I am. After I'd been on Avonex maybe 16 months, he asked if I were getting liver function tests and I said yes.

Avonex and liver

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