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| Pronunciation |
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 (in
ter FEER on AL fa too bee &
rye ba VYE rin com bi NAY shun pak) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Rebetron® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiviral Agent; Interferon |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Use two effective forms of
birth control during treatment and for 6 months after treatment ends. This
medicine can cause a dangerous drop in your red blood cell count. Tell
healthcare provider if you have heart or lung problems. This medicine may cause
or worsen mental health problems. |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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If you have an allergy to interferon alfa-2b, ribavirin, or any other
part of this medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
If you have any of the following conditions: Anemia, poor kidney
function, or severe psychiatric disease.
If you have an autoimmune disease.
If you have had a transplant.
If you are of childbearing age, but are not using two forms of birth
control or if you are planning to become pregnant during your treatment or
within 6 months after treatment has ended.
If you are a male patient with a sexual partner who is pregnant or
plans on becoming pregnant at any time while you are being treated or within 6
months after your treatment has ended.
If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
If you are breast-feeding. |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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This product is a combination of two drugs, ribavirin and interferon
alfa-2b. They are used together to treat certain patients with hepatitis C
infections. |
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| How does it work? |
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Ribavirin works to injure the virus and fight the infection.
Interferon alfa-2b helps the body's immune system fight viral
infections. |
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| How is it best taken? |
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All forms:
To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
Ribavirin:
Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes
an upset stomach.
Interferon alfa-2b:
This medicine is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
Your healthcare provider may teach you how to give the shot.
Take this medicine at bedtime to help with flu-like symptoms.
Throw syringe away after single use. Do not reuse.
Throw away needles in needle/sharp disposal box and return box to
healthcare provider when full. |
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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Ribavirin:
Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and
return to your regular schedule.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
Interferon alfa-2b:
Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and
return to your regular schedule.
If you miss 3 days of medicine, call healthcare provider for
instructions.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Do not change dose, brand, or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider. |
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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If you have been unsuccessfully treated for hepatitis C infection
before with this medicine, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have cancer, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider. This medicine
can increase blood sugars.
If you have drug or alcohol addiction, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have hepatitis B or HIV disease, talk with healthcare
provider.
If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Alcohol can worsen
liver disease.
If you have lung disease, you may be more sensitive to this medicine.
Use two forms of birth control that you can trust to prevent
pregnancy while taking this medicine and for 6 months after treatment ends.
If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from
pregnancy during treatment and for 6 months after treatment ends. Use two forms
of birth control that you can trust. |
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes,
aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.
Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in
thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require
you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects
you.
Anemia.
Belly pain.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Hair thinning.
Inability to sleep. |
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| What should I monitor? |
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Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
If you are a female of childbearing age, take a monthly pregnancy
test.
Follow up with healthcare provider. |
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5
degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough,
increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that
will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness,
emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in
life.
Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
Severe dizziness or passing out.
Difficulty breathing.
Severe belly pain.
Severe nausea or vomiting.
Not hungry.
Unusual bruising or bleeding.
Dark, tarry-black stool.
Feeling extremely tired or weak.
Sudden change in vision, eye pain or irritation.
Any rash.
For females, if you become pregnant while taking this medicine or
within 6 months after treatment ends.
For males, if your female partner becomes pregnant while you are
being treated or within 6 months after treatment ends.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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Store ribavirin in a refrigerator or at room temperature.
Store interferon in a refrigerator. Do not
freeze. |
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| General statements |
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Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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