Quick Answer: Avonex pens and syringes should be stored refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C. They can stay at room temperature, below 25°C, for up to 7 days. Never freeze your injections and keep them protected from light.
Avonex injector pens offer a convenient and user-friendly way to administer interferon beta-1a therapy for those with multiple sclerosis. However, to maximise the effectiveness of your Avonex treatment, it is crucial to understand how to use, store, and handle your pens and syringes correctly.
Here, you will find all the answers to your questions about storing Avonex, whether at home or travelling!
Note: This article provides general information and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for personalised recommendations regarding your Avonex treatment.
What is Avonex?
Avonex is a prescription-only injectable medication prescribed in the UK to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It contains the active ingredient interferon beta-1a, a protein that helps regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. It is a synthetic version of a natural protein that modulates the immune system. It helps reduce the frequency and severity of relapses and slows the progression of disability in people with relapsing-remitting MS.
This medication is also marketed under other brand names, such as Rebif, Rebidose, and Rebif Titration.
Avonex is administered via intramuscular injection and is typically given once a week, although your healthcare provider may recommend a different regimen based on your needs.
It is available in the UK both as autoinjector pens and prefilled syringes. The Avonex Pen is a prefilled, single-dose autoinjector featuring a shorter, covered needle, making injections less daunting for many users. It is ready to use without the need for mixing or measuring.
Meanwhile, prefilled syringes offer a cost-effective alternative but involve a slightly different injection process.
Related article: How to Store Copaxone at Home & While Travelling!
Avonex Storage Temperature
Proper storage is essential to maintain the effectiveness of Avonex injections. Keep them refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C until use.
- If refrigeration is unavailable, they can be stored at room temperature (up to 25°C) for a maximum of 7 days.
- Do not freeze the pens.
- Protect them from light by keeping them in their original packaging.
How long can Avonex be unrefrigerated?
If Avonex is left unrefrigerated for more than 7 days, it begins to degrade, reducing its effectiveness. Never use an Avonex pen or syringe that's been out of the fridge for more than 7 days.
Always check the appearance of the medication before use. If it appears discoloured or cloudy, do not use it and consult your healthcare provider.
Related article: A Comprehensive Guide to Storing and Travelling With Kesimpta.
When does Avonex expire?
Avonex actually has two expiration dates:
- A labelled expiration date printed on the pens or syringes. It indicates the date until the medication is good for when stored in a refrigerator.
- An expiration date after 7 days out of the refrigerator. As mentioned above, Avonex can stay unrefrigerated (up to 25°C) for a maximum of 7 days only. After this period, the medication should be discarded, even if the labelled expiry date has not yet passed.
If you're on Avonex injections for multiple sclerosis, make sure to keep track of both these expiration dates! Never use expired Avonex. Besides not being safe, it could seriously impact the success of your treatment.
Avonex Travel Kits & Coolers
Travelling with refrigerated medications like Avonex can be challenging. To maintain its efficacy, use portable cooling cases or medical-grade travel refrigerators. These solutions ensure your medication remains at the required temperature during your journey.
There are really two situations in which you must pay special attention to storage temperatures when travelling with Copaxone:
- When living in or travelling to places where the outside temperature gets higher than 25°C. You need a cooler to keep your injections cool below that threshold, whatever the duration of your trip, be it 2 hours or a few days.
- When travelling for more than 7 days. You need a portable refrigerator that keeps your Avonex injections refrigerated, whatever the outside temperature is.
Here are two popular options among patients using Avonex:
- The Voyager Mini Travel Fridge for Medications can maintain fridge temperatures (2°C to 8°C) for unlimited time when plugged to a USB power source like a portable power bank, a portable solar panel, a car cigarette lighter or others. When unplugged and used with biogel cooling packs, it will keep your Avonex injections refrigerated for up to 30 hours.
- The Chillers Cooling Pouches are extremely convenient for keeping Avonex pens or syringes cool at room temperature, protected from the heat (but not refrigerated, so it's a valid option for trips up to a month!). They work without the need for a freezer nor electricity, and all you need is water to keep your injections cool for up to 45 hours!
Here’s our full catalog with many more Avonex travel kit choices! We're here to help. Should you have any doubts or inquiries about our products, please leave a comment below or contact us.
By investing in the right cooling solution, you can confidently manage your medication while travelling, whether you’re flying abroad or heading on a UK road trip.
Related article: Tips for Traveling with Multiple Sclerosis and Embrace Adventure Safely!
We'd Love to Hear Your Thoughts!
Have you been prescribed Avonex for multiple sclerosis? Share your experience with us!
