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Multiple Sclerosis
Depression, suicidal
ideation, and suicide attempts have been reported to occur with
increased frequency in patients receiving interferon compounds
to treat multiple sclerosis, inc. Avonex, Betaseron and Rebif
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Multiple
Sclerosis (MS) Drugs
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Drugs Used to Treat Multiple Sclerosis
Interferons
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Avonex®,
Betaseron® & Rebif® Interferons
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Warnings
on the use of Avonex®,
Betaseron®
and Rebif®
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Warnings
on the safety of Avonex®,
Betaseron®
and Rebif ®
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(interferon beta-1a and interferon beta-1b)
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| As of March, 2003, Biogen, the makers of Avonex ®
(interferon beta-1a), revised their patient and healthcare information
data to include additional warnings about the safety of Avonex
®, an interferon drug approved for the treatment of
multiple sclerosis; and possible adverse reactions to the drug and /
or drug side effects.
Berlex Laboratories and Serono, makers of
Betaseron ® and Rebif ® respectively,
followed suite and amended their patient and healthcare information
data to include warnings on the safety of their products, Betaseron
® (Betaferon ® in Europe) and Rebif
®, both interferons.
Interferon (interferon beta-1a and interferon beta-1b)
products may cause serious adverse reactions in some patients.
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These include:
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a cautionary note regarding
use in patients with depression and other severe psychiatric
symptoms, and post-marketing reports of depression, suicidal ideation
and/or development of new or worsening of pre-existing other psychiatric
disorders, including psychosis
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rare reports of anaphylaxis (life threatening allergic
reaction) and other allergic reactions, and post-marketing reports
of decreased peripheral blood counts (resulting in a reduced ability
to fight infection), including pancytopenia (simultaneous decrease
in the numbers of red and white blood cells) and thrombocytopenia
(reduction in the number of platelets in the blood) |
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| Additionally, users of interferon products should be aware of
the following: |
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the risk of severe hepatic (liver) injury. |
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Avonex ® associated autoimmune disorders, including
autoimmune hepatitis (the body destroying its own liver), and hepatic
injury manifesting itself as elevated serum enzyme levels and hepatitis |
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Click here for further data from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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| Reviewed July 2004 |
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