CinnoVex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis

CinnoVex (interferon beta-1a) is made from human proteins and helps the body to fight viral infections

CinnoVex is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) and decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms

You should not use CinnoVex if you are allergic to interferons, human albumin, or any of the ingredients present in CinnoVex. Pre-filled syringe products of CinnoVex are albumin-free.

Before using CinnoVex, tell your doctor if you

• liver disease;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• heart disease, chest pain (angina);

• history of blood clots or bleeding disorder;

• a thyroid disorder; or

• a history of depression or suicidal behavior.

• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. CinnoVex may be harmful to your unborn baby.

• are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known whether CinnoVex can pass into your breast milk.

• Use CinnoVex exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

• CinnoVex is injected into a muscle and is usually given once weekly at bedtime, on the same day each week. Your doctor will teach you how to use the injection and give you instructions.

• The CinnoVex powder form must be mixed with a liquid in the medicine vial. Gently swirl but don’t shake the vial after mixing the medicine. The mixture should be light or clear yellow. Do not use the mixture if it has changed colour or has any particles.

• stomach pain;

• flu symptoms;

• headache, drowsiness;

• abnormal liver function tests; or

• minor irritation where the injection was given.

• liver problems: liver disease may happen when using CinnoVex. Treatment should be stopped immediately if jaundice or symptoms of hepatic dysfunction occur. Use caution in patients with hepatic impairment or in those who abuse alcohol.

• Low blood count: leukopenia, Pancytopenia (rare), and thrombocytopenia have been reported. Your doctor will monitor your blood count levels at 1, 3, and 6 months post-therapy initiation and periodically thereafter.

• Flu-like symptoms: Flu-like symptoms may occur while taking CinnoVex.

• Psychological problems: Interferons have been associated with psychiatric adverse events (psychosis, depression, suicidal behavior/ideation) in patients with and without previous psychiatric symptoms; use with caution in patients with depression.

• Seizures: some patients have had seizures while taking interferon, including patients who have never had seizures.

• Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis: may occur when using CinnoVex.

• Infections: may happen when using CinnoVex.

• Thyroid disorders: may occur with the use of CinnoVex and may worsen pre-existing thyroid conditions. Your doctor will monitor your thyroid function every 6 months.

• Autoimmune disorders: including hyper- and hypothyroidism, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, and rarely autoimmune hepatitis have been reported. Consider discontinuation of treatment if a patient develops a new autoimmune disorder while using CinnoVex.

• Injection site reactions: severe injection site reactions have occurred, including pain, edema, erythema, cellulitis, abscess, and necrosis.  

• interferon beta-1a may either cause reversible direct myocardial toxicity or exacerbate underlying myocardial dysfunction.

• Cases of thrombotic microangiopathy manifesting as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or (some fatal) have been reported.

• fever, chills, body aches, chest pain, flu symptoms;

• pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

• severe pain, swelling, bruising, redness, oozing, or skin changes where the injection was given;

• changes in your vision;

• seizure (convulsions);

• feeling hot or cold, unexplained weight changes;

• kidney problems – swelling or rapid weight gain, blood in your urine, little or no urination;

• signs of a serious blood cell disorder – confusion, stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, feeling tired or irritable, vomiting;

• liver problems – nausea, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite;

• or severe skin reaction – fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, swelling in your face or tongue, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

• Store CinnoVex in a refrigerator. You may take the CinnoVex prefilled syringe out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature before giving the injection.

• Do not freeze.

• Protect it from light.

• CinnoVex powder can be stored at room temperature for up to 30 days. After mixing CinnoVex powder with a diluent, store it in the refrigerator and use it within 6 hours.

• The CinnoVex prefilled syringes can be stored at room temperature for only 7 days.