 |
| Modules | |
| Google | |
|
These ads help pay for the upkeep of our site. They are automatically served by Google and are not affiliated with This is MS. | |
| Languages | |
|
Select Interface Language:
| |
| Who's Online | |
There are currently, 244 guest(s) and 5 member(s) that are online.
You are Anonymous user. You can register for free by clicking here | |
| Next Step | |
| Donations | |
|
To remain unbiased, This is MS does not accept corporate sponsorships. Therefore, we must rely on our users to help support us. Please donate to our upkeep if you have the means. Thank you! | |
| |
 | News: FDA: Avonex can cause Severe Liver Injury |
The FDA and Biogen today jointly issued a warning that Avonex can cause severe liver injury, including liver failure, when used in conjunction with other drugs that affect the liver.
"In post-marketing experience severe hepatic injury, including cases of hepatic failure,
has been reported rarely in patients taking AVONEX.
In some cases, these events have occurred in the presence of other drugs that have been
associated with hepatic injury. The potential for hepatic injury should be considered when
AVONEX is used in combination with other products associated with hepatic injury, or when
new agents are added to the regimen of patients already on AVONEX."
The company is revising the drug's label to include the new warning.
Two black eyes for BiogenIdec in two weeks... no eyes left for March, and we're only yet in the ides!
Click "read more" to get the advisory...
Note: This warning is similar to that of the other interferon drugs.
|
|
|
Posted by Administrator on Wednesday, March 16 @ 16:09:38 EST (2159 reads)
(Read More... | 1986 bytes more | News | Score: 4)
|
|
|
| Research: Ibuprofen Best for Treating Post-Avonex-Injection Side Effects |
|
This study tried to compare ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and corticosteroids for the treatment of flu-like symptoms that accompany Interferone-beta-1a (Avonex) injections. The result was that there was no clear winner, but ibuprofen seemed to help the most with symptoms immediately following the injection.
"OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and prednisone in the treatment of interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a) flu-like syndrome (FLS)...
CONCLUSIONS: No prophylactic treatment for flu-like syndrome seems to be superior to another in terms of overall well-being during the first month of IM IFNbeta-1a therapy. However, ibuprofen confers better control of symptoms immediately following IM IFNbeta-1a injection."
Click "read more" for the full abstract...
|
|
|
Posted by Administrator on Friday, August 20 @ 02:28:06 EDT (1950 reads)
(Read More... | 2885 bytes more | Research | Score: 2.5)
|
|
|
| Research: A Key Difference between Avonex and Betaseron Treatment |
|
This is an interesting research study that illuminates one of the differences in treatment between Avonex and Betaseron. Essentially, the researchers found that Avonex inspires an increase in anti-inflammatory cell production (in other words, cells that dampen the inflammation response) while Betaseron decreased the production of proinflammatory cells (in other words, cells that increase inflammation). Avonex = more anti-inflammatory cells, Betaseron = less inflammatory cells.
"Multiple sclerosis is characterized by elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines produced by Th1 cells and decreased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines produced by Th2 cells...
It appears that IFN-beta1b has a downregulatory effect on both Th1 and Th2 cytokines, while IFN-beta1a causes a shift of the cytokine profile toward the Th2 phenotype. These two IFN have different influences on the pattern of cytokines in MS: IFN-beta1a enhances the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 and IFN-beta1b decreases the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IFN-gamma."
Click "read more" for the full abstract...
|
|
|
Posted by Administrator on Saturday, June 05 @ 19:29:36 EDT (2450 reads)
(Read More... | 3464 bytes more | Research | Score: 4.5)
|
|
|
| News: Biogen Having Problems with Avonex Production |
|
This is just an FYI regarding Avonex production from Biogen's recent investor conference call. Note that *no* bad Avonex was released-- they are having problems at the factory, but that does mean that they may have problems supplying demand.
Also, does anyone else get a kick out of them calling Avonex the "older multiple sclerosis drug"? Just a few years ago, there were NO MS drugs! Hope springs eternal...
"Analysts expressed concern that the company said it had experienced some problems at the end stages of manufacturing some batches of its new liquid form of Avonex, its older multiple sclerosis drug.
"As a result, we have had to write down a number of batches. If these problems continue, we would likely have to incur additional charges and could potentially experience an interruption in the supply of Avonex," Chief Executive Jim Mullen said on the call.
"Plant shutdowns aren't an issue. It's a small technical issue on the full finish end not on the bulk," he said. "We think we can work through this situation."
|
|
|
Posted by Administrator on Wednesday, March 03 @ 21:10:42 EST (1753 reads)
(Read More... | 1134 bytes more | News | Score: 3)
|
|
| |
| Login | |
|
Don't have an account yet? You can create one. As a registered user you have some advantages like theme manager, comments configuration and post comments with your name. | |
| Survey | |
| Big Story of Today | |
|
There isn't a Biggest Story for Today, yet. | |
| Old Articles | |
|
There isn't content right now for this block. | |
| Latest Forum Posts | |
| Information | |
|
This site is privately funded by individuals interested in fighting multiple sclerosis.
There are no corporate grants, medical center affiliations, or overbearing advertisements, providing a truly independent online community for MS.
Note that all medical decisions should be made with the consent of your doctor. | |
|
|
