الأدوية والمكملات الغذائية

Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional may give you this medicine. You may also be taught how to give your medicine at home. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin (usually in the thigh).

If you are injecting interferon beta-1b yourself, use it exactly as directed by your doctor in order to help your condition as much as possible. Do not use more or less of it, and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without checking first with your doctor. The exact amount of medicine you need has been carefully worked out. Using too much will increase the risk of side effects, while using too little may not improve your condition.

You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not inject into skin areas that are irritated, reddened, bruised, infected, or scarred in any way.

Each package of the medicine contains a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

• How to prepare the injection.
• How to use disposable syringes.
• How to store the syringes.

You may also receive other medicines (fever medicine, pain medicine) to help prevent or lessen flu-like symptoms (eg, fever, cough, chills, body aches) that may occur during treatment with this medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For multiple sclerosis (MS):
    • Adults—At first, 0.0625 milligram (mg) (0.25 mL) injected under your skin every other day. Over 6 weeks, your doctor may gradually increase your dose to 0.25 mg (1 mL) every other day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

The next injection should be scheduled about 48 hours later.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

You may also store Extavia® vials at room temperature, away from heat and direct light, for up 3 months. Throw away any unused medicine after 3 months.

After mixing, if not used immediately, you may refrigerate the mixed solution and must be used within 3 hours. Do not freeze.