avonex and liver damage

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 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.

I've not heard about damage from Avonex. In any case, I wouldn't advise anyone to just stop taking any medication without consulting your physician.

t flu-like side effects and the risk of liver damage is less (my dad died of liver failure after taking immunosuppressants) The only thing putting me off is the injections themselves as I've got very bad hyperhidrosis in my hands and am scared the needle will slip or something. Would Tysabari be a better choice for me in that case? Help please!

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.

It's not really at what level is serious, Now if your levels to start out with were 4x the high limit, then your doctor would have order additional test immediately. You have an elevated level and it keeps rising and not leveling off or dropping. If this continues your doctor will do a CT scan and/or an ultrasound of your liver. There are a number of conditions that cause elevation of ALT enzymes. As simply as eating fatty foods, to all types of hepatitis.

I think I can handle flu-like symptoms, but I what about possible liver damage (I only have one liver!), heart problems, skin damage, drop in white blood cells (I'm pretty sure that I need those!), throat constriction, etc. It seems like a majority of people are on Copaxone, but I hate the idea of DAILY injections. Some of the meds are only once a week or three-times a day which sounds more manageable. Is anyone on here on Gilenya? Any feed back that you could share?

( It is from the ON, which is not active right now, but there is optic pallor and permanent damage. crud................... I have my next MRI the end of next month.

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!

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.

Cathy, I am not on Avonex, but my sister is and if you have been on it this long without many problems then in my opinion it is because the drug is working for you. I wouldn't stop it because I would be afraid of what would happen when I did but that is just me. My sister has been on Avonex for many years and hasn't had any problems with the MS since starting it and she attributes it to the Avonex. It is a pesonal decision but I wouldn't stop it if it is working.

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.

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.

People can have elavated readings but have little or no damage and you can have normal readings but have damage.

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...

The sole purpose of Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex and Betaseron is to slow the progression of the disease and reduce the number of relapses. If you look at the studies, people on these CRAB's still have relapses, they just don't have as many relapses as people who are not on a CRAB. So it should not be a surprise to any of us on a DMD when we do have a relapse. The CRAB should be making it less intense and shorter in duration, hopefully.

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 have had normal liver enzyme test and a normal ultrasound and ct scan, but I still have extreme bloating. This has been going on for months now. I worry because I binge drank on a nightly basis for about an 8 year span, 3-5(sometimes more) glasses of wine and such. Should I be worried that I have liver damage that is just not showing up? I have changed my diet significantly ( no dairy or gluten) but I am still very bloated. I am sick with worry that I have caused permanent damage.

The only way to truly ease your mind is by being totally honest with him/her. I have liver damage and kidney damage due to drugs stage 2 liver stage 3 kidney.. if your liver were damaged and you had a flare your belly would be extended/pain upper right you would be lethargic/vomiting.. other symptoms but these being severe.. It is not fun and I would not wish it on anyone.. I contracted hep C from slamming and further continued the damage through pills/alcohol..

I have never been to hospital, I dont appear to have yellowing of the skin or eyes. What is the likly hood of damage to my liver, and if stoped now could my liver possibly recover from and damege.

My brother has been in the hospital for 12 days for liver damage. His skin and eyes are yellow, abdomen pain and swelling of the stomach. They drained off 12 liters of fluid from stomach area. He's has dementia, no communicating with him that makes any sense. In this situation what is his chance to make it through this? The doctors and nurses are not saying much, but wait and see.

Are these symptom of HB - I have to be at the Oncology Department on Tuesday to have an ultrasound done of the abdoman - seem to get frequent bladder infections and my liver reading indicated high level of anitbodies. I have drunk alcohol and do not smoke either. I have hypothyroidism but Dr made my Thyroxin and Armour intake too high per day - was on 125 mg Armour and 0.1mg of Thyroxin now cut to 50 Thyroxin and 40 Armour Thyroid. Could this impact on my liver?

week 24 bloodwork showed virus undetectable [good news] my question is,the biopsy shows fatty liver and stage 3 liver damage. if the svr continues, will my liver heal itself? does this stage of damage cause fatigue. i know the peg/copeg can cause fatigue im just wondering if after i stop tx will my energy level improve? if anybodys got any 411 on this id sure like to know. thanx.

no telling and best to see ur doctor and have it checked...if liver damage is worrying u from massive tylenol use..get the doc to draw ur liver enzymes to know for sure ur liver is ok....the liver is amazing at adjusting/the whole body is/to abuse...I have often thought i had a liver made of concrete with the massive tylenol i ingested...

for a checkup yesterday and the ALT liver function test was high. The other liver tests were normal just that one was high. The Dr. thinks it is from my acid reflux medication and is changing that but I rarely take it. Could it be the Darvocet? Sometimes I take one then another before the four hours are up for the next dose but mostly only one at a time. I just thought as long as I only took the recommended amount I wouldn't damage my liver.

I have been taking 3 to 4 vics a day. They are 10mg-660's. I don't drink, am I trashing my liver?? Please help, I'm stressin....because I have a mild pain that comes and goes in my upper right quadrant of my abdomin. I had blood work done 6 months ago and all liver panels were good. Had an ultrasound done as well and that came back perfect. What's going on here?

Avonex and liver damage

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