How to Take Betaseron for Multiple Sclerosis

If you have multiple sclerosis, taking a disease-modifying drug is the first step towards preventing further MS attacks. Betaseron, one of the leading drugs on the market, can be easily self-administered.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 blister pack of injectable Betaseron
• 1 or 2 alcohol swabs
• 1 or 2 cotton balls
• Auto-injector for Betaseron
• Calendar and pen

1. Prepare the injection by following the directions provided. It is important to have the injection well-mixed, but not create air bubbles within the syringe.

2. Prepare the auto-injector by making sure the spring-load is set. Insert the Betaseron injection into the auto-injector. Place it in the barrel, set the depth to its correct measurement and twist together the two parts of the auto-injector. Remove the syringe's safety tip.

3. Prepare the injection area. Betaseron's instructions show four areas to administer an injection: abdomen, buttocks, thighs and backs of arms. Swab the chosen area with a sterile alcohol prep pad.

4. Place the Betaseron auto-injector over the area to be injected. Press down on spring-load (top half) and hit "Inject" button. Count slowly to five, then remove auto-injector slowly from injection site.

5. Finish up with a cotton ball. Apply pressure to the injection site and then rub the area in a circular fashion to prevent the medication from pooling in one area. Rotate these two moves for about 30 seconds each, for about five minutes.

6. Record the injection on a calendar, noting the location. This helps you remember when to do the next injection and records recent, tender spots to avoid.

Tips & Warnings

• Applying an ice pack to the area after the injection can ease site pain.
• Rotate your injection sites to avoid overusing one area. Site reactions are common and can be painful, so it is important to not administer an injection in an area that is still red or tender.