(in ter FEAR on BAY ta 1b) Brand: Betaseron, Extavia
• This medicine may be deleterious to an unborn child, or may reason a miscarriage. Do not use interferon beta-1b if you are pregnant. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
• Till using interferon beta-1b, speak your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver malady, a thyroid mess, epilepsy or another seizure mess, a bleeding or blood-clotting mess, anemia (low red blood cells), or a history of depression or suicidal behavior.
• Some patients using interferon medications have become very depressed or had thoughts of suicide. Stop using interferon beta-1b if you have symptoms of depression (sadness, crying, loss of interest in things you once liked) or if you have any thoughts of hurting yourself.
• Interferon beta-1b is given as an injection under the skin, generally at bedtime each 48 hours (2 days). You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at house. You may be shown how to inject your medication at home.
• Do not self-inject this medication if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
• To be certain this medicine is not causing deleterious effects, your blood and liver function will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your thyroid function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
• Interferon beta-1b is made from human proteins. Interferons help the body fight viral infections.
• Interferon beta-1b is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). This medicine will not cure MS, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.
• Interferon beta-1b may also be used for another purposes another than those listed in this medicine guide.
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to interferons or human albumin.
• Some patients using interferon medications have become very depressed or had thoughts of suicide. Stop using interferon beta-1b if you have symptoms of depression (sadness, crying, loss of interest in things you once liked) or if you have any thoughts of hurting yourself.
• If you have any of these another conditions, you may need a doze adjustment or particular trials to safely use this medication:
· liver disease;
· a thyroid disorder;
· epilepsy or another seizure disorder;
· a bleeding or blood-clotting mess, such as hemophilia;
· anemia (lack of red blood cells); or
· a history of depression or suicidal behavior.
• FDA pregnancy category C. This medicine may be deleterious to an unborn child, or may reason a miscarriage. Do not use interferon beta-1b if you are pregnant. Speak your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known whether interferon beta-1b passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Interferon beta-1b is made from human plasma (part of the blood) and may contain viruses and another infectious agents that can reason malady. Although donated human plasma is screened, tested, and treated to reduce the risk of it containing anything that could reason malady, there is still a little possibility it could transmit malady. Conversation with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
• Interferon beta-1b is given as an injection under the skin. Your doctor, nurse, or another healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medication at home.
• Do not self-inject this medication if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
• Interferon beta-1b is injected into a skin area of the thigh, stomach, buttocks, or back of the upper hand. This medicine comes with patient instructions for safety and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Interferon beta-1b is generally given as one injection at bedtime each 48 hours (2 days). Follow the directions on your prescription label. Try to use your injections at the same time every dosing day.
• Interferon beta-1b is a powder that comes in a single-use vial (bottle) with a liquid (diluent) that should be mixed with the powder in the vial. Gently swirl but do not shake the vial after mixing the medication. Let any bubbles or foam to settle till drawing the medication into a syringe.
• If the medication has changed colors or has any particles in it, call your doctor for a new prescription.
• Do not draw your interferon beta-1b doze into a syringe before you are ready to give yourself an injection. Use a various seat on your skin every time you inject this medicine. Do not inject interferon beta-1b into the same skin area two times in a row.
• Use every disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Hold this container out of the reach of children and pets.
• To be certain this medicine is not causing deleterious effects, your blood and liver function will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your thyroid function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
• Store interferon beta-1b vials at room temperature away from moisture and heat. After mixing the medication you must use it right away, or within 3 hours after mixing if you store it in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Use the medicine as soon as you remember the missed doze. Then wait at least 48 hours till using other injection, and restart your dosing schedule at that time. Do not use more than one injection each 48 hours (2 days).
• Search abnormal medical attention if you think you have used too many of this medication. Symptoms of an interferon beta-1b overdose are not known.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using interferon beta-1b.
• Interferons can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can create it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being near others who are ill. Avoid being around people who have colds, the flu, or another contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using interferon beta-1b and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
· depressed mood, anxiety, trouble sleeping, restlessness, or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
· bruising, swelling, oozing, or skin changes where the injection was given;
· weight changes, pounding heartbeats, feeling too hot or cold;
· fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
· nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
• Smaller serious side effects may include:
· weakness;
· headache;
· muscle pain or weakness;
· sleep problems (insomnia);
· stomach pain;
· swelling in your hands or feet;
· skin rash; or
· irregular menstrual periods.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• There may be another drugs that can affect interferon beta-1b. Speak your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal commodity, and drugs predesigned by another doctors. Do not start using a new medicine without telling your doctor.
• Your pharmacist can provide more information about interferon beta-1b.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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