Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Drugs

| Avonex | Betaseron | Betaferon | Copaxone | Rebif |

 

Avonex ® (interferon beta-1a)

What is Avonex ® ?

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.

 

 

 

Multiple Sclerosis

Native Indians of North and South America, the Japanese and other Asian peoples have a very low incidence rate of Multiple Sclerosis.

MS Drugs

It should be noted that the multiple sclerosis drugs currently in use to treat MS are immunomodulatory. This means the approved drugs used specifically in the treatment of multiple sclerosis have a direct effect on the workings and efficiency of the normal immune system... Read More