Peginterferon Alfa-2b



PEG-Intron®







Peginterferon Alfa-2b

(peg in ter FEER on AL fa too bee)

U.S. Brand Names
PEG-Intron®
Canadian Brand Names
PEG-Intron®
Pharmacologic Category
Interferon
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • Alpha interferons may cause or worsen diseases of the mind. Suicide, ideas of suicide or homicide, depression, aggressive behavior, hallucinations, psychoses, and relapse of drug addiction have occurred with use. Alpha interferons may cause or worsen infections and certain autoimmune diseases. If you suspect any of these problems, call healthcare provider right away. Side effects such as low blood pressure, fast heartbeats, 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.
  • Please read the medication guide given to you.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • Do not give this medicine to a child.
  • If you have an allergy to peginterferon alfa-2b 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: Autoimmune disease, autoimmune hepatitis, confusion caused by liver disease, fluid in your belly, liver disease, low platelet count, low white blood cell count, or severe depression.
  • If you have had a transplant.
  • If you have been treated with interferon.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat hepatitis C infection.
How does it work?
  • Peginterferon alfa-2b helps the body's immune system fight viral infections.
How is it best taken?
  • This medicine can be used alone or in combination with another medicine called ribavirin.
  • 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.
  • The shot is usually given once a week for a year.
  • Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
  • 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.
  • 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 it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and call healthcare provider for instructions.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you have drug or alcohol addiction, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
  • If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have lung disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have uncontrolled diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, or pain medicine.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
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.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Not hungry.
  • Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.
  • Inability to sleep.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • If you are diabetic, you will need to monitor blood sugars closely.
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check weight weekly. Report a weight loss to healthcare provider.
  • 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 depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
  • Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Severe belly pain or bloody diarrhea.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Sudden change in vision, eye pain or irritation.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Throw away any unused portion of opened vial after injection.
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.
Brand Names: