Rebif Patient, Information, Instructions - Interferon beta-1a

Rebif Patient, Information, Instructions - Interferon beta-1a

PATIENT INFORMATION

All patients should be instructed to read the Rebif^® Medication Guide supplied to them. Patients should be cautioned not to change the dosage or the schedule of administration without medical consultation.

Patients should be informed of the most common and the most severe adverse reactions associated with the use of Rebif^® (see WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS). Patients should be advised of the symptoms associated with these conditions, and to report them to their physician.

Female patients should be cautioned about the abortifacient potential of Rebif^® (see PRECAUTIONS: Pregnancy).

Patients should be instructed in the use of aseptic technique when administering Rebif^®. Appropriate instruction for self-injection or injection by another person should be provided, including careful review of the Rebif^® Medication Guide. If a patient is to self-administer Rebif^®, the physical and cognitive ability of that patient to self-administer and properly dispose of syringes should be assessed. The initial injection should be performed under the supervision of an appropriately qualified health care professional. Patients should be advised of the importance of rotating sites of injection with each dose, to minimize the likelihood of severe injection site reactions or necrosis. A puncture-resistant container for disposal of used needles and syringes should be supplied to the patient along with instructions for safe disposal of full containers. Patients should be instructed in the technique and importance of proper syringe disposal and be cautioned against reuse of these items.