Compare Avonex vs Tysabri

Compare Avonex

vs Tysabri

Compare Avonex to Tysabri. To make a decision about Avonex vs Tysabri, click here for a Medication Risk Map to help you select Avonex or Tysabri

Click here for Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Avonex.
Click here for Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Tysabri.
Click here to see the effects of combining Avonex and Tysabri.

Uses of Avonex

Avonex is also known by the generic name Interferon Beta-1a USES: This medication is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). Interferon is not a cure for MS, but it may help to decrease the number of attacks of weakness and slow the progression of the disease.

Uses of Tysabri

Tysabri is also known by the generic name Natalizumab

USES:
This medication is used to treat a type of multiple sclerosis that occurs when symptoms appear in cycles of worsening and improvement (relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis-MS). It is not a cure for MS, but it is thought to help by preventing your immune system from attacking the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. It helps decrease the number of episodes of worsening and may prevent or delay disability.

Natalizumab is also used to treat a bowel condition called Crohn's disease (CD) when it is moderate to severe and/or keeps coming back. It is not a cure for CD, but it is thought to work by preventing your immune system from causing inflammation/swelling within your bowels.

Natalizumab is a protein called a monoclonal antibody.

Avonex and Tysabri Have 9 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects in Common

Critical Seriousness - Trouble Breathing - Dyspnea is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Avonex and Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Abnormal Liver Function Tests - Abnormal Hepatic Function Tests is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Avonex and Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Depression is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Avonex and Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Allergic Reaction caused by a Drug - Hypersensitivity Drug Reactions is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Avonex and Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - High Amount of Bilirubin in the Blood - Hyperbilirubinemia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Avonex and Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Ovarian Cyst is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Avonex and Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Hives - Urticaria is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Avonex and Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Having Thoughts of Suicide - Suicidal Ideation is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Avonex and Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Rash - Skin Rash is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Avonex and Tysabri.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Avonex and Tysabri.

Avonex Has 43 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects Not Found in Tysabri

Critical Seriousness - Earache is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Anemia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Itching - Pruritus of Skin is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Dizzy - Dizziness is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Chills is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Head Pain - Headache Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Feel Like Throwing Up - Nausea is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Decreased White Blood Cells - Leukopenia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Flu-Like Symptoms is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Difficulty Swallowing - Dysphagia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Shingles - Herpes Zoster is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Infection is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Decreased Blood Platelets - Thrombocytopenic Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Hearing Loss is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Muscle Pain - Myalgia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Loss of Appetite - Anorexia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Feeling Weak - General Weakness is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Inflammation or Infection of Vagina - Vaginitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Feeling Faint - Fainting is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Seizures - Seizure Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Joint Pain - Arthralgia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Muscle Spasm is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Fever is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Signs and Symptoms at Injection Site - Injection Site Sequelae is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Widening of Blood Vessels - Vasodilation of Blood Vessels is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Acute Infection of the Nose, Throat or Sinus - Upper Respiratory Infection is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Acute Liver Failure - Acute Hepatic Failure is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Difficulty Speaking - Dysarthria is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Diarrhea is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Accumulation of Fluid in the Tissues of the Eyelid - Eyelid Edema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Dry Eye is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Skin Condition - Disorder of Skin is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Uncoordinated - Ataxia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Puffy Face from Water Retention - Facial Edema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Dead Skin - Dermal Necrosis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Chest Pain is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Stomach Cramps - Abdominal Pain with Cramps is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Herpes Simplex Infection is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Sinus Irritation and Congestion - Sinusitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Liver Problems - Disease of Liver is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Swollen Lymph Nodes - Lymphadenopathy is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Wheezing is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Cough is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Avonex and Tysabri.

Tysabri Has 14 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects Not Found in Avonex

Critical Seriousness - The Flu - Influenza is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Increased Risk of Bleeding is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Chest Tightness is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Appendicitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Fluid Retention in the Legs, Feet, Arms or Hands - Peripheral Edema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Progressive Disease in the White Matter of the Brain - Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Inflammation of Skin caused by an Allergy - Allergic Dermatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - High Blood Pressure - Hypertension is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Disease in the White Matter Area of the Brain - Leukoencephalopathy is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Gallstones - Biliary Calculus is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Hepatitis caused by Drugs - Drug-Induced Hepatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Reaction due to an Allergy - Allergic Reactions is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Inflammation of the Tonsils - Tonsillitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Critical Seriousness - Urinary Tract Infection - Urinary Tract Infections is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Avonex and Tysabri.

Avonex and Tysabri Have 0 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects in Common

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Avonex and Tysabri.

Avonex Has 13 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects Not Found in Tysabri

Anemia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Chills is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Head Pain - Headache Disorder is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Feel Like Throwing Up - Nausea is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Decreased White Blood Cells - Leukopenia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Flu-Like Symptoms is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Infection is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Muscle Pain - Myalgia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Feeling Weak - General Weakness is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Joint Pain - Arthralgia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Fever is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Diarrhea is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Indigestion - Dyspepsia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Avonex but not Tysabri.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Avonex and Tysabri.

Tysabri Has 5 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects Not Found in Tysabri

Head Pain - Headache Disorder is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Tysabri but not Avonex.

Depression is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Tysabri but not Avonex.

Stomach Cramps - Abdominal Pain with Cramps is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Tysabri but not Avonex.

Urinary Tract Infection - Urinary Tract Infections is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Tysabri but not Avonex.

Low Energy - Fatigue is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Tysabri but not Avonex.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Avonex and Tysabri.

Avonex and Tysabri Treat 5 Conditions in Common

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe - Relapsing and Remitting Multiple Sclerosis is treated by both Avonex and Tysabri.

Avonex has 17 Condition Contraindications

If you have any of these Conditions then you should carefully evaluate the risks of taking Avonex.

Avonex Intramuscular Contraindications
(grouped by decreasing seriousness level)

Absolute Contraindications

Jaundice - Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Liver Problems is a contraindication of Avonex.

Pregnancy is a contraindication of Avonex.

Relative Contraindications

Abnormal Hepatic Function Tests - Abnormal Liver Function Tests is a contraindication of Avonex.

Alcoholism - Habit of Drinking Too Much Alcohol is a contraindication of Avonex.

Bone Marrow Depression - Decreased Function of Bone Marrow is a contraindication of Avonex.

Depression is a contraindication of Avonex.

Disease of Liver - Liver Problems is a contraindication of Avonex.

Leukopenia - Decreased White Blood Cells is a contraindication of Avonex.

Neutropenic Disorder - Decreased Neutrophils a Type of White Blood Cell is a contraindication of Avonex.

Psychiatric Disturbance - Mental Disturbance is a contraindication of Avonex.

Seizure Disorder - Seizures is a contraindication of Avonex.

Severe Anemia is a contraindication of Avonex.

Suicidal Ideation - Having Thoughts of Suicide is a contraindication of Avonex.

Thrombocytopenic Disorder - Decreased Blood Platelets is a contraindication of Avonex.

Contraindication Warnings

Disorder of Thyroid Gland - Thyroid Problems is a contraindication of Avonex.

Hyperthyroidism - Overactive Thyroid Gland is a contraindication of Avonex.

Hypothyroidism - Underactive Thyroid is a contraindication of Avonex.

Tysabri has 9 Condition Contraindications

If you have any of these Conditions then you should carefully evaluate the risks of taking Tysabri.

Tysabri Intravenous Contraindications
(grouped by decreasing seriouosness level)

Absolute Contraindications

Jaundice - Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Liver Problems is a contraindication of Tysabri.

Lactating Mother - A Mother who is Producing Milk and Breastfeeding is a contraindication of Tysabri.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy - Progressive Disease in the White Matter of the Brain is a contraindication of Tysabri.

Severe Hepatic Disease - Severe Liver Disease is a contraindication of Tysabri.

Relative Contraindications

Abnormal Hepatic Function Tests - Abnormal Liver Function Tests is a contraindication of Tysabri.

Disorder of Immune Function - Condition Resulting from a Defective Immune System is a contraindication of Tysabri.

Hyperbilirubinemia - High Amount of Bilirubin in the Blood is a contraindication of Tysabri.

Immunosuppression - Reduction in the Body's Resistance to Infection is a contraindication of Tysabri.

Contraindication Warnings

Infection is a contraindication of Tysabri.

Avonex - Symptoms of overdose may include
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Tysabri - Symptoms of overdose may include
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Contact poison control
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.