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| Pronunciation |
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 (in
ter FEER on AL fa con
one) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Infergen® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Interferon |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- Allergy to interferon alfacon-1 or any component, other alpha
interferons, or E. coli
-derived products
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat adults with chronic hepatitis C
infections. It is used in patients whose liver has not been severely affected by
the infection.
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| How does it work? |
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- Interferon alfacon-1 works against the virus that causes hepatitis
C.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- It is taken as a shot into the fatty part of the skin. This is called
a subcutaneous shot. Your healthcare provider may teach you how to give the shot
at home.
- It is usually given three times a week for about 6 months. Usually
Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday are good schedules to
follow. Your healthcare provider may have a certain schedule for you.
- Follow instructions closely if you or a family member are giving the
shot at home.
- There is usually one dose in each vial. Throw the vial away after a
single use. Do not reuse.
- Throw away needles in red 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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- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Give a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If the next dose is less than 48 hours away call healthcare provider.
Your schedule may change.
- Do not take a double dose, extra doses, or change
brands.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
- Talk with healthcare provider if you have a history of depression or
other mental disorders.
- Talk with healthcare provider if you have a history of heart or
thyroid disease or if you have a weakened immune system.
- 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, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust during treatment and for 6 months after treatment.
- Men, do not get your partner pregnant. Use birth control that you can
trust during treatment and for 6 months after treatment.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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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 or take interferon
alfacone-1 at bedtime.
- Feeling sleepy or tired. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or
activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
- Inability to sleep.
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Report any side effects to healthcare provider at follow-up visit.
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- If you have diabetes or hypertension then an eye exam should be done
before treatment started.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow
eyes/skin, not hungry.
- Any signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness,
emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in
life.
- Any signs or symptoms of infection. This may include a fever greater
than 99 degrees, chills, sore throat, cough, increased sputum or change in
color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, anal itching or
pain.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in refrigerator. Do not freeze.
- Bring up to room temperature before giving
shot.
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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, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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