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| Pronunciation |
|
 (peg
in ter FEER on AL fa too
bee) |
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| Brand Names |
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| PEG-Intron™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Interferon |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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|
- Alpha interferons may cause or worsen diseases of the mind.
Suicide, ideas of suicide or homicide, depression, aggressive behavior,
hallucinations, psychoses, relapse of drug addiction and overdose have occurred
with use. Alpha interferons may cause or worsen infections. Alpha interferons
may cause or worsen diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial nephritis,
systemic lupus erythematosus, or psoriasis. If you suspect any of these problems
call your healthcare provider right away. Side effects such as low blood
pressure, fast heartbeats, unusual heartbeats (arrhythmias), and heart attacks
have occurred while taking alpha interferons. In patients with severe or
worsening signs and symptoms of these conditions the medicine should be stopped.
Problems are usually corrected after you stop the
medicine.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to polyethylene glycol (PEG), interferon alfa,
or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Autoimmune hepatitis,
history of severe depression, fluid in your belly, cirrhosis, bleeding problems,
or confusion caused by liver disease.
- If you have been treated with interferon before.
- If you have low white blood cells or platelet counts.
- If you have any autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus, rheumatoid
arthritis, interstitial nephritis, or psoriasis.
- If you have had a transplant.
- If you are giving this medicine to a child.
- If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or
breast-feeding.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat hepatitis C infection if you have a
normally functioning liver.
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| How does it work? |
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- Peginterferon alfa-2b fights against viruses like hepatitis
C.
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| How is it best taken? |
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|
- It is given 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 once a week for a year. It should be given every 7 days.
- If a response is not seen after 6 months of therapy, the medicine is
usually stopped.
- Follow instructions closely if you or a family member are giving the
shot at home.
- There is only one dose in each vial. Throw the vial away after use. Do
not reuse. Throw away needles in red box and return box to healthcare provider
when full.
- Take with plenty of liquids unless told to drink less liquid by
healthcare provider.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose call healthcare provider for
directions.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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|
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Liver disease may be
worsened with use.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This
includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have a history of depression or any psychiatric
disease. If you have ever tried to take your life or had ideas about suicide,
tell healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are an alcoholic or have had drug
abuse or addiction problems. Even if you are in recovery let healthcare provider
know.
- Use caution if you have a history of heart disease. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have thyroid disease or diabetes that is not well
controlled.
- Use caution if you have lung disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about 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, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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|
- Flu-like feeling with aches and pains in the muscles. Try giving the
medicine before going to bed or use a mild pain medicine.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- 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.
- Depression, nervousness, irritable.
- Inability to sleep.
- Fever.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Loss of hair.
- Not feeling hungry. Can lead to weight loss.
- Diarrhea.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Side effects. Report anything that seems serious or unusual.
- If diabetic, watch blood sugar. This medicine may increase your blood
sugar.
- Check weight weekly. Report weight loss to healthcare provider.
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- 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.
- Thoughts of death or suicide or wanting to kill someone else.
- Feeling sad or empty or decreased interest in pleasurable activities.
- Belly pain with bloody diarrhea and fever.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Any signs or symptoms of infection.
- Chest pain, heaviness or tightness, or rapid heart beats.
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing.
- Severe nausea or vomiting.
- Feeling unusually tired.
- Decreased vision.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store at room
temperature.
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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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