Interferon Beta-1b, Injection

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiviral; biological response modulator; immune system booster

Generic and brand names: interferon beta-1b, injection; Betaseron

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) just under the skin to reduce the frequency of attacks caused by multiple sclerosis (MS).

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a blood disorder
• depression or thoughts of suicide
• heart problems
• kidney or liver disease
• seizures
• thyroid problems

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by subcutaneous (under the skin) injections. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. If your healthcare provider is giving you the shots, keep all your appointments.

Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use each syringe and needle only once and dispose of them safely, following your healthcare provider's instructions. Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Wash your hands before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots:

1. Your healthcare provider will tell you where you can give yourself the shots (abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or other sites). If you are giving the shot in your abdomen, choose a site around the belly button but not in the belly button. Each day, choose a different spot for the shot to lessen irritation. Do not inject where the skin is red, bruised, infected, or irritated.
2. Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot.
3. Gently pinch up the skin and insert the needle into the skin at a 45° angle. After you insert the needle completely, release your grasp of the skin.
4. Inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger.
5. After you have given yourself the shot, withdraw the needle and syringe and press an alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.
6. Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.
7. When you repeat the procedure, use a new pack.

If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take your next dose as soon as you remember. However, do not take this medicine 2 days in a row. If you accidentally take more than the prescribed dose or take it 2 days in a row, contact your healthcare provider right away.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine can cause depression and thoughts of suicide. If these occur, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

You may develop a reaction at the spot where you inject the medicine. This is usually temporary, but if reactions continue or get worse, contact your healthcare provider.

You may develop flulike symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches) when you first start this treatment. Taking acetaminophen will help relieve these symptoms. Ask your healthcare provider about this.

You need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe depression or thoughts of suicide; chest pain; broken skin, sores, bruising, swelling, oozing, or severe pain at the injection site; unusual bruising or bleeding; extreme tiredness.

Other: Fever, chills, headache, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, trouble sleeping, menstrual problems, muscle pain, stuffy nose.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), fosinopril (Monopril), captopril (Capoten), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and benazepril (Lotensin)
• warfarin (Coumadin)
• zidovudine (Retrovir)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature before it is mixed. Refrigerate medicine after it is mixed and use it within 3 hours. Protect from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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