Approved Drugs,Treatments and Glossary of MS
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COSTS ON THE DRUGS VARY. YOU CAN CHECK APPROXIMATE RETAIL COST PER YEAR AT WWW.DRUGSTORE.COM
AVONEX:INTERFERON BETA-1a
BIOGEN Inc.
14 Cambridge Center
Cambridge, MA 02142
800-456-2255
http://www.avonex.comIM shot once weekly. Annual costs vary $2,399.00 1 box of 4, 30 mcg/0.5m Syringes Prefilled www.drugstore.com10-15-09
Avonex is used to treat relapsing forms of MS to decrease the number of flare-ups and slow the occurence of some of the disability that is common in people with MS.
Tell your doctor before taking Avonex if you ever had or currently experience depression or other mood disorders, problems with your thyroid, blood problems, seizures or heart problems. Your LIVER may be affected by taking Avonex. Your healthcare provider may ask you to have regular blood tests to make sure that your LIVER is working properly. If your skin or the Whites of your eyes become yellow or if you ae bruising easily you should call your doctor immediately.
Has side effects.
Avonex is NOT recommended for women who plan to become pregnant or are pregnant, and it should NOT be used by patients who have had an allergic reaction to inteferon products.Most people who take Avonex have flu-like symptoms ( fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, and tireness ) early during the course of therapy.
Contact Information: 1-800-456-2255
From:
TYSABRI :a monoclonal antibody known as Natalizumab
The FDA approves Tysabri, formerly known as Antegren for Relapsing Forms of MS on November 23, 2004. The approval was based on results only on One Year duration of treatment. From the First year of Two clinical trials of the drug Alone or added to Avonex. According to the FDA, as part of the approval, the manufacturer has made a commitment to Continue their Trials of Tysabri for another year. It is NOT known how long Tysabri needs to be taken. There is currently NO information about health coverage by health insurers, or about the relative benefits or safety of Tysabri in comparison with other currently available treatments for MS. Tysabri appears to be safe and well tolerated. The most common side effects included headache, hives, fatigue, uninary tract infection, depression, lower resporatory tract infection, joint pain and abdominal discomfort. There is NO information available about long term safety. At this point Medicare tends to cover medications that are provided in a physcian's office, which should include Tysabri. It is an antibody, Not an interferon or glatiramer acetate..
Tysabri has been suspended from using as of February 28, 2005 until further notice.
Tysabri is in front of the FDA and should know in April 2006 if it is going to be on the market again. It was APPROVED by the FDA in June, 2006. Contact your doctor for more information.
If you would like some information about Tysabri you can call 1-800-456-2265 and the web site is www.tysabri.com There is also a program for those on insurance issues: Tysabri Access Program. You may contact Darrell Wilson at 1-800-456-2255 for info.
The drug is given every 4 weeks by intravenous ( into the vein ) in a doctors office or other medical facility.
The Wholesale price is $2168.00 per dose ( $28,184 per year which is 13 weeks x $2168.00) Then to have a nurse do the IV, watch you for a hour afterwards, it could costs from $3000.00+ every 4 weeks.
This information is from the Biogen rep 01-08-07
BETASERON: INTERFERON BETA-1b
Berlex Laboratories,
Richmond, CA 94804
800-788-1467
Bayer Health Care Pharmaceuticals will launch a very thin (30 gauge) needle and a new autoinjector (BETAJECT LITE) at the end of October, 2008.The new autoinjector will replace all previous autoinjectors for Betaseron. The use of any autoinjector other that this latest version may result in people not receiving their full dose of medication. Go to betaseron.com/thinner or call 1-800-788-1467 for more information and to request the new autoinjector. (MS Connection Fall 2008)
Serious side effects include depression, suicide, suicidal ideation, and injection-site necrosis ( skin breakdown, drainage of fluid, and tissue destruction. ) Flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and menstrual disorders.www.mspathways.com
Sub-Q shot every other day. Annual costs vary. $2718.00 a month ( for 14 vials of 6.3 mg a vial)www.drugstore.com 10-15-09Contact Information: 1-800-948-5777.
Copaxone: Glatiramer Acetate
is effective in reducing relapses. The most common side effects are redness, pain, swelling, itching, lump at the site of the injection, flushing, chest pain, weakness, nauses, joint pain, anxiety and muscle stiffness. These symptoms are usually mild and please tell your doctor about any side effect. A reaction involving flushing ( feeling warmth and/or redness). and chest tightness. They appear within minutes of an injection, last about 15 minutes, and go AWAY by themselves without further problems. Any problems you can call Shared Solution at 1-800-887-8100
Now you can get the Pre-filled, Pre-mixed syringe for faster, easier therapy.It's convenient as no mixing, easy and you get the right amount of Copaxone with every injection. Ask your doctor about Copaxone and the new Pre-filled Syringe. Online ordering of the auto-ject 2 for glass syringe autoinjection device (compatible with the Pre-Filled Syringe)
July 25, 2007: Important news from Shared Solutions. Copaxone can now be stored at room temperature (between 59F and 86F) for up to one month without affecting its safety or effectiveness! Now you have more flexibility when refrigeration isn't available. This is a benefit especially for those of you who like to travel. Of course, you will still want to take along a thermal travel bag to keep your Copaxone protected from exposure to extreme temperatures.
Any questions please call Shared Solutions at: 1-800-887-8100The Less time you spend managing side effects, the more time you may have to do the things you enjoy and this I have found to be very true.
Sub-Q shot daily. Annual costs vary. 1 Box of 30 Filled Discs of 20 mg) $2817.66 a month.www.drugstore.com 10-15-09
NOVANTRONE: ( mitoxantrone)
Immunex Corporation
IV given Costs vary, est. $3,980.73 (2 mg/ml Concentrate)Please check with your doctor or www.drugstore.com 10-15-09
Seattle WashingtonHas a side effect that may include hair thinning, nausea, loss of mentstrual periods, bladder infections, and mouth sores. . Novantrone can increase a person's chance of getting an infection. Before each dose, blood samples should be taken to check patients' blood counts, liver function, and pregnancy status (even if they are using birth control). Because risk of injury to the heart, there is a limit on the total lifetime dose of Novantrone a person can receive. For most patients, this is approximately 8 to 12 doses over 2-3 years. Novantrone is given every 3 months by a short 5-15 minute IV infusion.
To find out more information please discuss with your doctor.
www.novantrone.com
Novantrone is NOT for everyone. Ask your doctor whether Novantrone is right for you.
Contact Information: 1-877-447-3243
REBIF: (interferon Beta 1-a)
Sorono, Inc.
Rebif was FDA approved in March 2002. It is taken 3 times a week, subcutaneous ( under the skin ) injection. It has flu-like symptoms following injection which lessen over time for many. Less common: abnormalities of liver function and decreases in red or white blood cell counts.
Comprehensive Support and if you need help you can contact MS Life www.drugstore.comLines at www.MSLifeLines.com or call 1-877-477-3243
Annual costs vary: $2425.33 a month ( 6x8.8 & 6x22 mcg. Solution 4.2 ml Box) 10-15-09 www.drugstore.com