Interferon Alfacon-1



Infergen®







Interferon Alfacon-1

(in ter FEER on AL fa con one)

U.S. Brand Names
Infergen®
Pharmacologic Category
Interferon
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • Please read the medication guide given to you.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to interferon alfacon-1 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 are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat chronic hepatitis C infections.
How does it work?
  • Interferon alfacon-1 helps the body's immune system fight viral infections.
How is it best taken?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • 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.
  • The shot is usually given three times a week for about 6 months.
  • Before injection, bring to room temperature.
  • Follow instructions closely if you or a family member are giving the shot at home.
  • Wash hands before and after use.
  • 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.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If the next dose is less than 48 hours away, 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.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have mental illness, 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).
  • Use birth control that you can trust during treatment 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 birth control that you can trust.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes, aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.
  • 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.
  • Belly pain.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Inability to sleep.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, have an eye exam before starting treatment.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • 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.
  • Severe belly pain.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Not hungry.
  • Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • 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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