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Interferon Beta-1a Dosing
There are different interferon beta-1a dosing guidelines, depending on which product you use. The recommended dose of Avonex is 30 mcg, injected into a muscle once weekly. For Rebif, the suggested dosage is 22 or 44 mcg, injected three times a week. Since flu-like symptoms may occur, you can try taking your interferon beta-1a dose with a pain reliever/fever reducer.
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The dose of interferon beta-1a (Avonex®, Rebif®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Which interferon beta-1a product you take (Avonex or Rebif)
- How you respond to interferon beta-1a
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
The recommended dose of Avonex for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) is 30 mcg, injected into a muscle once weekly. Because flu-like symptoms are common Avonex side effects, many healthcare providers recommend taking a non-prescription pain reliever/fever reducer on the days you inject Avonex. Tylenol® (acetaminophen) is often recommended for this use.
The recommended dose of Rebif for treating multiple sclerosis is 22 or 44 mcg, injected three times a week. Both doses are safe and effective. You will probably start at a lower dose and slowly work up to the full dose over a four-week period. Your healthcare provider will instruct you on how to increase your dose.
Your healthcare provider may recommend taking a non-prescription pain reliever, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) before, at the same time, or after each Rebif injection. This can help prevent some of the flu-like symptoms (such as fever, chills, and muscle aches) that are common with Rebif.
Rebif comes in two different types of syringes -- prefilled syringes (which are injected manually) or auto-injectors. Because the entire dose must be given with the auto-injectors (there is no possibility for injecting half a dose, as can be done with the prefilled syringes), the titration up to 22 mcg must be done with prefilled syringes only.
Once you’ve reached the 22-mcg dose, you can use either the prefilled syringes or the auto-injectors. For the titration up to the 44-mcg dose, either the prefilled syringes or the auto-injectors may be used.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD