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What Is Avonex?

Avonex is a prescription interferon beta-1a medicine used for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults. Labeled forms include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease. Avonex is given by intramuscular injection once each week and comes in single-use prefilled syringe and autoinjector presentations containing 30 micrograms in 0.5 mL.

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What Is Avonex?

Avonex is a prescription interferon beta-1a medicine used for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults. Labeled forms include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease. Avonex is given by intramuscular injection once each week and comes in single-use prefilled syringe and autoinjector presentations containing 30 micrograms in 0.5 mL.

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How Does Avonex Act in Multiple Sclerosis?

The exact mechanism through which Avonex acts in multiple sclerosis is unknown. Interferon beta-1a has immunomodulatory activity that changes biological responses involved in inflammatory disease. Clinical use focuses on reducing disease activity in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis rather than treating an acute relapse after it has started.

Who Is Treated With Avonex?

Avonex is approved for adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. These forms include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, and active secondary progressive disease. Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients have not been established under the current U.S. label.

How Are Avonex Injections Dosed?

The recommended dose is 30 micrograms injected into a muscle once weekly. To reduce flu-like reactions when treatment begins, dosing can start at 7.5 micrograms in week 1 and increase by 7.5 micrograms each week until 30 micrograms is reached in week 4. Patients or caregivers can administer injections after proper training.

Which Serious Reactions Are Associated With Avonex?

Serious concerns include depression, suicidal thoughts, psychotic disorders, liver injury, anaphylaxis, injection-site necrosis, worsening heart failure, reduced blood cell counts, thrombotic microangiopathy, pulmonary arterial hypertension, seizures, and autoimmune disorders. Flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, muscle aches, and weakness are among the most frequently reported adverse reactions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Avonex

What forms of multiple sclerosis does Avonex treat?

Avonex treats relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease.

How often is Avonex injected?

The recommended maintenance dose is 30 micrograms by intramuscular injection once each week.

Why is Avonex sometimes started at a lower dose?

Gradual weekly dose increases can reduce the incidence and severity of flu-like reactions when treatment begins.

Can Avonex affect the liver?

Yes. Severe liver injury has been reported, so liver tests and symptoms of hepatic injury are monitored during treatment.

References

AVONEX (interferon beta-1a) Instructions for Use. https://hcp.avonex.com/content/dam/commercial/avonex/hcp/en_us/pdf/Avonex_PFS_IFU.pdf. Date Accessed September 14, 2026.

AVONEX (interferon beta-1a) Medication Guide. https://www.avonex.com/content/dam/commercial/avonex/pat/en_us/pdf/Avonex_Medication_Guide.pdf. Date Accessed September 14, 2026.

AVONEX (interferon beta-1a) Prescribing Information. https://www.avonex.com/content/dam/commercial/avonex/pat/en_us/pdf/Avonex_US_Prescribing_Information.pdf. Date Accessed September 14, 2026.

DailyMed - AVONEX (interferon beta-1a) injection. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d70a39cc-de15-4c12-a1ec-8063b69ea0e1. Date Accessed September 14, 2026.

Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a693040.html. Date Accessed September 14, 2026.