rebif versus avonex

yes, it was the va neuro recently that mentioned rebif or avonex and suggested strongly i go with one of them versus the copaxone. this guy typically minimizes any symptom i have(my impression). can't talk to a nurse there until doc Rx's something. i don't even want to discuss that office.

I am surprised that your doctor is trying Rebif after you had a dpressive reaction to Avonex. This doesn't make sense to me. Yes, the Interferon-beta-1a and 1b meds are known for sometimes causing depression or making it worse. Major or untolerable depression is an indication for discontinuing the interferon medications. The problem is that the side effects of the interferons is typically "sode-dependent".

Hi, I was wondering if anyone who has taken both Avonex and Rebif could give some input here. I have been taking Rebif since this past June, but have started to wonder about how Avonex would compare side-effect-wise. As they are both interferons, I would think they would be similar, but I'm not certain. The idea of once a week sounds nice in comparion though, so I would like some actual first-hand knowledge. Thanks!

what MS shots copaxone, rebif, betaseron & avonex has the smallest percentage of blood fractions

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.

After at least of 5 weeks of worsening effects from Copaxone and 8 weeks total, it's all over between us. I truly tried. Almost went to counseling. Arbitration was an option, and so on. The bottom line is that I had terrible allergic reactions that snowballed. I tried several kinds of antihistamines, plus Singulair, and a bunch of different creams. All I got were hives, bruises, welts, rashes and misery.

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.org/Treating-MS/Medications Choose a medicine that you can adhere to the dosing schedule.

MY DR WANTS ME TO TAKE AVONEX OR REBIF, TRIED COPAXONE IN 2004 HORRIBLE LUMPS THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS. STOPPED AFTER 3 MOS. I AM GETTING WORSE IN MY GAIT. MY KNEES ARE WEAK & IN PAIN. I AM JUST INTOERABLE TO ABOUT EVERY DRUG OUT THERE. CAN'T TAKE ANTIDEPRESSANTS- WHICH I NEED TO TAKE ACCORDING TO ALL I READ. WHAT HAVE YOU STRUGGLED THROUGH & HOW LONG TO MAKE A DECISION. IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE & SCAREY. MY QUAILTY OF LIFE IS GETTING WORSE - SO ONLY A FOOL WOULDN'T TRY - RIGHT?!

t inject daily so Copaxone was out. Then the needle with Avonex was too big, nor was there an auto inject so Avonex was out. Rebif has an auto injector & it is only 3x's a week, which is the medium of the other two. So far no major side affects. Two weeks ago I thought I was having a reaction to the meds so I skipped two injection days. I resumed the injections on Wednesday & so far no reaction. I've been on Rebif since April and am still getting use to sticking myself.....

If you are allergic to interferon (Rebif and Avonex), then you will be allergic to the Betaseron. You were allergic to Copax too? What type of allergic reaction did you have, and how long did it take to happen? If I end up allergic to Rebif, my Neuro told me my only options are Copax or Tysabri. Were the reactions different from med to med? Please describe if you can.

Hi there! Nice to meet you! I understand keeping it under his hat for work. When, or if it's time, he'll divulge. If he's doing well he may just take the add on of a DMD in stride and not notice a thing. While I can't speak to the side affects of Avonex, I am on Rebif and find them very tolerable. Went about my night to back to school night after the 1st shot and the rest is history.

I am an MS patient and I have recently started taking Avonex, (I have had two injections so far) and I have been having problems sleeping.Does anyone know if Avonex causes insomnia, at all? I have read all the possible side effects Avonex may bring, but sleeplessness doesn't seem to be in the list.

one of our long term members, essdipity, had the same problem with the itching and switched to either Rebif or Avonex. Good luck in your decision. Was Gilenya offered as an option or just the interferons?

Flu-like symptoms are a fairly common side effect during the initial weeks of Avonex treatment. It is recommended that you take your Avonex injection before bedtime. Immediately before your injection, and for the 24 hours that follow the injection, patients have found that use of over the counter pain and fever reducing medications can help with this common side effect." You could also get on the Avonex website for further info. good luck. hope that you feel better soon.

t find much about this as a side effect on-line) or am I in that lucky 4% of Avonex users who have hair loss. If it is the Avonex, will it stop as my body gets used to the drug? Good God I hope so! Any insight is appreciated, as this is really stressing me out.....which can also cause hair loss!!!

And told to choose one. I had finally made my mind up to try Avonex. I liked the idea of only having to inject once a week. Then on Tuesday i seen a new Neuro and he said he would like to see me on something stronger. Possibly Rebif ? Now i don't see him again til May. Kind of worried i should be on something already. The sooner i start the better right ??

ve kicked around the CRABs here, a lot. Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron are the primary four. Your doctor didn't offer Tysabri as your fifth, did he? I like the Decision Maker tool in the uk that walks you through the drugs and helps you figure what is important for you. You can access this at http://www.msdecisions.org.uk welcome to the world of drugs aand bills. I'm glad to hear you are getting treatment for your CIS. Congrats on that one.

Hello. I have been on Rebif now for just over three years after nine and a half years taking Avonex. Have been very consistent in making sure to take my shots. Having a short term memory moment, realized the other day while taking my 2nd to last shot of my current distribution; This being true, tomorrow will be my last shot with a schedule to take the first of a new packet on Saturday, Dec 22nd. Many thanks if you can supply me with the appropriate phone number to order a next batch.

I think the number is as high as 40%. Rebif is the next most likely with something like 23%. Avonex is the least likely with an incidence of NA's of less than 10%. The problem appears to be dose-related. Betaseron is the highest dose, Rebif next and Avonex the lowest. Once you have neutralizing antibodies to one of the Interferon-beta meds, you have it to ALL of them. If JohM is around, he has doen the most research into this problem, if I remember right.

Hello! I've just been diagnosed with MS and am wondering which drug is better. I've read the material for Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron. I've narrowed it down to two -- Rebif or Copaxone based mainly on side effects. Which drug is the best?

s known that some people on the Interferons, Avonex and Rebif have had no additional lesions, that have lasted years. That was my experience when I took Avonex. Since I now take Copaxone and have only been on it for a little over a year, I cannot give you a personal view of how well the drug is working for me. I am beginning to notice less relapses, though. How DMD's work is not fully understood.

Just a quicdk thought here. If depression occurs on one Interferon it would be expected to occur on all Interferons at the same dose or higher. Avonex is the lowest does and my reading on this problem says that the same side effect would be expected - and possibly worse - on a higher dose. So, I don't understand the switch from Avonex to Rebif AT ALL. In order of increasing Interferon dose it goes Avonex-> Rebif -> Betaseron.

Ok - No, Avonex and Copax are not comparable in terms of type or dosing. They have comparable effectiveness. Avonex, Betaseron, and Rebif are interferons and Copax is a peptide, so they work through the body buy by completely different mechanism. I like the the thinking of your Doc with waiting more time to evaluate efficacy w/Avonex. The addition of the solumed may help to simmer down that active inflammation too.

Rebif versus avonex

Common Questions and Answers about Rebif versus avonex

rebif