Hi I am new to MS. My doctor prescribed Avonex. I have little to no drug insurance. I went to a site which offered discount coupons. I called them to ask them if this is a come on price or is this within reason the price every month. They would not give me an ansewr. Does someone here have any experience with this?
Copaxone is the weakest and he did not recommend it for me. Betaseron, Rebif and Avonex are essentially the same drug, Intefereon beta, administered in different doses.
My Neuro is a big believer in Neutralizing antibodies.
Avonex NAB rate is around 5%
Rebif around 10-15%
Betaseron 25-30%
NABs can bind to the active side of the interferon molecule rendering it useless. So naturally (if you believe in NABs) you would likely pick the one with the lowest NABs.
I did attend one presentation from Biogen, makers of Avonex and Tysarbi and the entire presentation was about Tysarbi and the new oral drug to be marketed soon. No information was given on Avonex. The dinner was ok, the company was very pleasant though.
Hard to answer your question without more information. Why do you have only those four choices? Avonex (which I’ve used for 11 years) and others are notably absent from your list. Avonex, Rebif, and Betaseron have been around longest and have the strongest safety profiles. If your MS is more aggressive, then you may be more inclined to consider Gilenya, Tecfidera, Aubagio, or Tysabri. All of the DMDs are discussed from a neutral perspective at the link below:
http://www.nationalmssociety.
Hi anuj,
I read ur question. I also diagnosed ms just few days ago, nd I also prescribed injection avonex. But I wish I could give u exact answer but I don't have any personally experience about avonex coz I don't start avonex yet but I know I will.Just m saying that i found on google that when ever u inject just relax, don't take any stress, u may get flu like symptom so take ibruphen, take rest how much u can, then of course, u can manage it.
I have been a pincushion with this drug for 14 years. Prior to avonex it was beta which I had to stop because of welts (no where left to inject)
Its really getting to me. I don't want to be a baby,but the shots are really getting on my nerves.
I can't tell if avonex If is doing anything. I wish I had the words to explain. I really don't feel better and I think it is because i have had this disease for so long. Any suggestions? anyone? Thanks you!!
Hi, I have been taking Avonex for 6 yrs on and off. I stopped for 2 yrs when I had my third child and have been back on it for the past 2 1/2 yrs straight. I was diagnosed in 2005 and have been fortunate to have little to no changes in my MRIs. That is until I recently experienced vertigo which triggered an order for some MRIs. I have a new active lesion in my brain and one in my spine. My doctor thinks tysabri would be a great next choice.
Hello! I was just Wondering if People who are taking Weekly Avonex Injections Have To OR Should Wait a Certain amount of Days Until they can Get the H1N1 Vaccine?
I usually take my weekly injection on Sunday and the H1N1 Vaccine will be Available the Following Day (Monday). Should I Go Ahead and Get the Vaccine on Monday or Wait?
THANK You For Any Information/Advice!!!
Hi guys hav'nt checked in lately, I've been having quite a few flair ups since I last checked in. Question for my MS family; I would like to try avonex hope I'm spelling it right any feed back good /bad just the expierence of people who has tried it before or is currently on.....presently using copaxone...
I have been on Avonex for the last 15 years and have finally reached my limit. I am taking a 6 week break from the Avonex and will be starting Copaxone at the end of April. I actually have two questions: 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?
To counteract the damage the drug does I did some research and take supplements to counteract the issues caused by the very thing(s) that are supposed to help. Question is, would a complete stoppage of pharmaceutical meds be a smart thing to do? I will say that progression has been slowed.....who's to say it's because of the pharmaceuticals? I am 55 yrs old, the mother of four raised primarily solo. Have endured much strife in life as have all others.
) Also, Avonex is only once a week. Biogen Idec, maker of Avonex, is also offering Plegridy, which sounds exactly like Avonex but maybe shallower shot, and I believe only once every 2 weeks. You might read up on this.
My neuro is not big on Gilenya, because of possible cardio effects, though for me that could be age-related, as I'm now about 500 :-) I don't know much about Aubagio, and it isn't often discussed here.
I was DX with MS in late 2003. I had lost the ability to walk and my sight in my left eye by the time MS was even considered. My DR wanted me to go on an ABC drug and Avonex was the only once a week drug so that's what I chose. (very scared of needles) It is a inter muscular shot lots of site injection pain, lumps, bruising and next day flu like symptoms. After a year I had another exasubation that landed me in the hospital.
Sigh, I have a question from a friend. She would like to know if avonex causes calcium deficiency? She is diagnosed with ms. Not like me.
If not, perhaps having a care partner trained (for the backside and/or arms) or getting set up with the Avonex pen would make it easier for you to bear with the drug a little longer, at least until BG-12 or Campath are available options. I’m thankful that Avonex works for me and that I was able to fall back on it (as you would be able to as well), although I no longer give myself shots.
MS is a complicated disease, different for everybody, and there is no way any responses here can substitute for consultation with one or more medical professionals. We can only share from our own experiences and offer support.
Fingolimod (Gilenya) and Mitoxantrone are very different therapies, the latter more common as a treatment for secondary progressive MS. Gilenya is prescribed for relapsing-remitting MS.
My daughter will be starting on her MS medication and was given options for about 6 different drugs. They are all injectables. She is starting on Avonex once a week, and is dreading the weekly shot and the awful side affects. I know there are a few clinical trials going on right now for a pill form. Are there any nearing FDA approval?? And if so, when might we expect them to be available to the public?
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