• Beta interferons may cause or worsen diseases of the mind. Suicide, ideas of suicide or homicide, or depression have occurred with use. If you suspect any of these problems, call healthcare provider right away. Problems are usually corrected after you stop the medicine. Serious liver problems have been reported. Your healthcare provider will be watching closely during the first 24 weeks of therapy.
• Please read the medication guide.
• If you have an allergy to interferon beta-1b or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding.
• Interferon beta-1b helps the body's immune system fight multiple sclerosis.
• It may decrease the number of attacks and the disabilities.
• This medicine is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
• Your healthcare provider may teach you how to give the shot.
• Take this medicine at bedtime to help with flu-like symptoms.
• Move site where you give the shot with each shot.
• Wash hands before and after use.
• Throw away needles in needle/sharp disposal box and return box to healthcare provider when full.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose, brand, or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood work (liver function). Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
Created: 2006-10-13 13:19:08.0
Modified: 2010-03-24 14:48:33.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have mental illness, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
• Irritation where the shot is given.
• Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes, aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
• Belly pain.
• Depression.
• Swelling in the arms or legs.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
• Severe skin irritation.
• Unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• Feeling extremely tired or weak.
• Not able to eat.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Severe belly pain.
• Any rash.
• If you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
