An Introduction to Avonex Side Effects
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
Avonex® (
interferon beta-1a); however, not everyone who takes the drug will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can be treated easily by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Avonex. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
Common Side Effects of Avonex
Avonex has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials.
In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and are then compared to those that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common Avonex side effects included:
- Headaches -- in up to 58 percent of people
- Flu-like symptoms -- up to 49 percent
- Muscle pain -- 29 percent
- Weakness -- up to 24 percent
- Nausea -- up to 23 percent
- General body pain -- up to 23 percent
- Fever -- up to 20 percent.
Other common side effects (occurring in 2 to 19 percent of people) included:
- Chills
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Infections, such as bronchitis or a sinus infection
- Redness, pain, or irritation at the injection site
- Toothache
- Dizziness
- Joint pain
- Hair loss (see Avonex and Hair Loss)
- Eye problems
- Anemia
- Migraines
- Flushing.
