This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hey,

My doc put me on Avonex shots twice a week, and since then I go for 12+ months without any relapses. Right now I'm on 14 months without a relapse.

I was wondering if anyone else was on this kind of program and what their experience has been.

I never heard of 2x week. How much doseage are you getting with each shot?

Full Dosage (however much is in the prefilled syringes), twice a week. For me that means Wednesday and Sunday. It's really helped me, but I was wondering if anyone else was on the same regimen. I didn't think I was the only one, but maybe I am.

I've only done 2x/week when I didn't want to do the shot the next (travel, vacation to the beach, etc.) and the side effects for the second shot were nil. Makes me wonder if Biogen should consider having 2/3 dose in each vial for 2x/week, that way it would be the same dose/efficacy as Rebif. Lessen the side effects, improve the product...I brought this up on the 'phone with a Biogen rep. on the 'phone, but they just spouted the co. line back at me.

Hi. My doc moved me to every 5 days at my request but there was still mri activity and progression. The new doc put me back every 7 days and added CellCept instead. Amazing how it seemed like every 5 days was almost-all-the-time because of the irregular schedule. Maybe I should have asked for twice a week instead. It was hard for me to swallow the "one dose fits all" line.

Just curious as to why you would want to take this twice a week vs. taking Rebif 3x a week. You are getting approx 3.5x the dose with Rebif for approximately the same cost. I know most of us dont pay for it, but our insurance companies do. Not to mention, have you seen the difference in the size of needle. Ugh! I cant imagine doing that IM injection twice a week.

I've been on Avonex for a little over 4 years now. Early in my experience with Avonex, I was contacted regularly via phone by the "Avonex Nurse." I don't know if the information she provided is completely unbiased but she did state that the absorption efficiency from a subcutaneous injection is about 40% while that from a intramuscular injection is around 80%. If this information is correct, and it would be great if someone could corroborate here, then I feel that it's important to take it into account when comparing dosage regimens between different medications.

By the way, I was wondering if there have been any trials with a 2/week 30µg IM dosage?

Thanks, NHE