To: Judy Phillips
Re: Avonex

Avonex is interferon Beta-1A.   Below is from my next edition for interferon
beta-1b which is another variant but similar.  I just finished a project
measuring Interferon alpha N-3 in a mom who received 30 million units daily
for 5 days.  No interferon above the normal background levels was found in
human milk even after massive doses.

Interferon:
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Interferon Beta-1B is a glycoprotein with antiviral,  antiproliferative, and
immunomodulatory activity presently used for treatment of multiple
sclerosis.   Very little is known about the secretion of interferons in
human milk,  although some interferons are known to be secreted and may
contribute to the antiviral properties of human milk.  However,  interferons
are large in molecular weight, generally containing 165 amino acids, which
would limit their transfer into human milk.  Their oral absorption is
controversial, but is believed to be minimal.  However,  interferons are
relatively nontoxic unless extraordinarly large doses are administered
parenterally.   Interferons are sometimes used in infants and children to
treat idiopathic thromboplastinemia (ITP) in huge doses.   See Interferon
Alpha.
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Regards

Tom Hale, Ph.D.

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/