Avonex warning

HarryZ · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 7:44 pm Post subject: Avonex warning

The FDA and Biogen IDEC have made a joint press release warning of possible severe liver damage to those who use Avonex. For more details please go to this site:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=594&e=2&u=/nm/20050316/hl_nm/health_biogen_dc

Harry

JFH · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:18 am Post subject:

As I understand it Avonex and Rebif are the same animal (Crustacean Smile

) differing only in dosage and frequency.

Do people here think that the same warning would be applicable to Rebif?
_________________
John
I am what I am

HarryZ · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:02 am Post subject:

JFH,

LindaR · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:17 am Post subject:

I do believe the same warning is already on Rebif. This is one of the known possible side effects of the interferons. That is why it is important for you to have your blood tested every 3 months when taking these medications. This is one of the first things my neurologist stressed with me.
The following is from an article in USA Today regarding the warning:

"Avonex, the No. 1-selling drug for treating multiple sclerosis, might cause liver failure in rare cases and will carry a stronger warning label, the Food and Drug Administration and maker Biogen Idec (BIIB) said Wednesday.

The stronger warning will match one already on rival drug Rebif and underscores dangers that have long been known with that class of drugs, doctors say."

texas_jim

i was thinking outloud.... isn't alcohol considered a drug that affects the liver???

jim

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...

JFH · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:47 am Post subject:

Jim

Alcohol is explicitly mentioned.

treez · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:34 am Post subject: Liver

That is exactly why the precriber of any Beta-interferons is supposed to keep an eye on your liver enzymes(blood test). Frequency could be as follows: Baseline before starting, after the first 3 months of treatment. Then.........if normal every 6 months. If elevated but still in safe levels, in another 3 months to see what's happening.

This is just a suggestion though.

After all, this is not intended to be medical advise Smile

I may add, anything that is working the liver overtime will add to potention problems. IE: Many meds including TYLENOL, alcohol, etc.etc.

This is probably the most dangeroous side effect of tylenol. Being an over the counter med, most people don't recognize the potential seriousness of this.

Treez

LindaR · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:57 am Post subject:

You mention Tylenol, but how about Advil? Anyone taking Avonex knows that they have to pre-medicate themselves with Advil before, during and after to minimize the side effects. What stinks is that I found taking one 8-hour Tylenol before bed really helps with my side effects but now knowing about the problems with Avonex I won't be taking that any more.

MOMTO3 · Family Member Joined: Jan 06, 2005 Posts: 36 Location: NY

JUST TO ADD -IN, I HAVE BEEN ON AVONEX FOR 9 MONTHS, NOT ONCE DID MY NEURO EVER DO A BLOOD TEST. AFTER READING THIS I WENT AND ASKED MY PCP, FOR A BLOOD TEST, THANKFULLY ALL CAME BACK OK. I USED TO TKE TYLENOL B4 SHOT AND TYLENOL PM AFTER BUT FOUND I STILL WOKE NEXT DAY FEELING LIKE CRAP I RECENTLY(ABOUT A MONTH OR SO) STARTED TAKING MOTRIN, FOUND IT HELPS ALOT MORE. I TAKE 2 30 MINS B4 SHOT AND THEN 2 MORE 4 HRS LATER AND THATS IT

texas_jim · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:34 am Post subject: naprelan

my neuro has offered to write me a script for naprelan (which is just a time-released form for naproxen). none of the NSAIDS are good for your liver (especially with alcohol) there are warning labels on the bottles.

jim
paramedic with MS

batpere · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:11 pm Post subject: Is 5 advil per week safe?

treez · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:34 pm Post subject: Liver

I certainly didn't mean to cause anxieties here!!

I guess the biggest thing to remember is "every body is different" I did mean that to be two words.

For comparison sake: If you are a heavy drinker, take maximum doses of any NSAID's frequently, and use an interferon med., you are generally going to be more at risk for liver problems than someone who doesn't drink, seldom uses NSAID's or uses them minimally, and doesn't take a bunch of other "stuff". Our Liver what ultimately deals with all of these foreign substances, the more you take, the harder it works and at some point if you keep adding more and more it is going reach that point of overworked.

Avonex users..........that is a once a week med. correct? If you take a tylenol only@ time of injection compaired to someone who is constantly popping them for every ache and pain...well you figure it out.

I thought bloodwork for Liver enzymes was pretty standard among Neuros. apparently that may not be the case. Chalk one up for my Neuro. at least.

Treez