| Avonex ® is a drug used in the treatment
of multiple sclerosis. It is from a class of drugs known as interferons. Interferon beta-1a is a recombinant DNA produced
synthetic of naturally occurring proteins.
Interferons are cytokines. Three major classes of interferon
have been identified - interferon alpha, interferon beta and interferon
gamma. Interferon alpha and beta form the Type I class of interferons
and Interferon gamma is a Type II interferon.Indicated and approved for use in Multiple Sclerosis
(MS) are Interferon beta-1a and Interferon beta-1b.
Interferons are species specific. In other words, the
effects and results of interferon therapy and animal experimentation
is difficult to apply across the human-animal species barriers since
the effects they have within any given species are different.The specific interferon-induced proteins and mechanisms
by which interferon beta-1a exerts its effects in multiple sclerosis
(MS) have not been fully defined.
Avonex ® is administered by intramuscular
injection (injection directly into the muscle) once weekly. |
