Since the approval of the first disease-modifying drug in 1993, the
delivery method of the injectable medications for MS has improved with
the development of pre-filled syringes and auto-injection devices.
Initially medications required mixing before they were ready to be
injected. Avonex, Betaseron, and Extavia are available in powered form
requiring reconstitution.
The pre-filled syringe was designed to eliminate the need for mixing
medication and for easy of use. Avonex, Copaxone, and Rebif are
available in pre-filled syringes. To assist patients who may have
difficulty reaching certain areas of the body for injection, or who have
limited dexterity, or who may have a needle-phobia, auto-injection
devices are available for use with syringes. Manufacturers of
Betaseron, Copaxone, and Rebif provide auto-injection devices for use
with their medication which are designed to be reused and loaded with
new syringes for each injection.
A new trend in self-injection technique and methodology is the
single-use (disposable), pre-filled autoinjector or pen which comes
preassembled, loaded with medication, and ready to use. The Avonex®
Pen™ was approved in February 2012 and just last week the FDA approved
the Rebif® Rebidose® pen. With both the Avonex and Rebif pens, the
needle remains covered both before and after injection. The Avonex®
Pen™ is the first intramuscular (IM) autoinjector device approved for MS
which incorporates a smaller needle and helps to reduce anxiety about
self-injections.
Read this post in its entirety:
Disease-Modifying Drugs for MS: New Single-Use, Auto-Injection Device Approved
No comments:
Post a Comment