anxiousme
06-18-2008, 11:10 AM
For those of you that have switched from Avonex to Rebif, what dose of Rebif did you start with? My understanding is that on Rebif you start at a low dose and work your way up. Is this right? So, since the two drugs are the same, Can you start at a higher dose of Rebif, if you have been on Avonex. I have been on Avonex since December 06'. I have a feeling that my next MRI is going to show some new activity. I have been experiencing new symptoms. Also, I kind of get that body craving for my next Avonex shot on day 6.
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MSNik
06-18-2008, 07:03 PM
anxious, what you described, the craving- is exactly why Rebif was brought out..but to answer your question- no, you cant start at a higher dose, and this is why..
Rebif is prepackaged as what is known as a titration pack...what that means is your first month on it, you start at 14 mcgs...then, after two weeks on that increase to 21 mcgs. when you have been on that for two weeks, it goes to full strength at 44 mcgs...as long as your body is handling the first two weeks, youll have no problem switching to the fullstrength..but trust me, it is a much higher dosage then Avonex, you want to build up..since it is only one month until you get there (12 shots) you wont have any problem going from avonex to rebif...the shots are prefilled, with nothing to measure or worry about, they can be done with either the autoinjector or just by using the syringe, and the needle is MUCH smaller than avonex!
good luck-
Nikki
Rebif is prepackaged as what is known as a titration pack...what that means is your first month on it, you start at 14 mcgs...then, after two weeks on that increase to 21 mcgs. when you have been on that for two weeks, it goes to full strength at 44 mcgs...as long as your body is handling the first two weeks, youll have no problem switching to the fullstrength..but trust me, it is a much higher dosage then Avonex, you want to build up..since it is only one month until you get there (12 shots) you wont have any problem going from avonex to rebif...the shots are prefilled, with nothing to measure or worry about, they can be done with either the autoinjector or just by using the syringe, and the needle is MUCH smaller than avonex!
good luck-
Nikki