Type of medicine: antiviral; interferon; biological response modulator; immune system booster
Generic and brand names: interferon alfacon-1, injection; Infergen
This medicine is given by injection (shots) to treat chronic hepatitis C virus infection. This medicine may be used alone or along with ribavirin.
This medicine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age (if taking this medicine alone): Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Using this medicine while pregnant is not recommended. Do not breast-feed while receiving these shots without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
The shots are given just under the skin. Your healthcare provider will determine the exact dosage and length of treatment. If your healthcare provider is giving you the shots, keep all your appointments.
Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Your healthcare provider will instruct you on how to give the shots. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. This medicine is supplied in single-use vials. You will need to purchase sterile disposable syringes and needles. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help you choose the correct size syringes and needles. This medicine is also available in prefilled syringes and needles ready for one-time use only. They should never be reused and must be discarded safely.
If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.
If you miss a dose, give yourself the injection as soon as you remember and then call your healthcare provider. Do not take the next scheduled dose until you are told what you should do by your healthcare provider. Do not use double doses.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: decreased appetite, chills, fever, muscle aches.
This medicine, when taken along with ribavirin, must not be used by women who are pregnant or by the male partners of women who are pregnant. This medicine can cause severe birth defects. You must have a negative pregnancy test prior to starting treatment, monthly during treatment and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends. Use 2 forms of birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are using this medicine with ribavirin and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends. This is very important whether you are a man or a woman. Talk with your healthcare provider about effective forms of birth control.
This medicine can cause serious or life-threatening side effects. It can cause or worsen:
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms, such as those listed in the side effects section below. Talk with your healthcare provider about this before starting treatment with this medicine.
Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
While you are receiving these shots, you need regular blood tests to find out how this medicine is affecting your blood. Keep all appointments for these important tests.
Because this medicine may affect your eyes, have an eye exam before you start treatment with this medicine.
This medicine does not cure hepatitis C or keep you from spreading it to other people. Do not share needles, toothbrushes, or razor blades with others.
There are many different type of interferon products. Do not switch brands or change your dose without talking with your healthcare provider.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or cause vision problems. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Depression, thoughts of suicide or hurting others, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), nervousness, anxiety, irritability, mood changes, unusual behavior or abnormal thinking, changes in vision, unusual bruising or bleeding, fever, chills, sore throat, cough, blood in urine, bloody stools, severe nausea or vomiting, blurred vision or any changes in vision, severe stomach or lower back pain, chest pain, irregular or fast heartbeat, numbness or tingling of fingers, toes, or face; trouble urinating or decrease in urine output; dark urine; yellowing of skin or eyes; unusual tiredness or weakness; trouble breathing; sudden loss of coordination or balance, sudden headache, confusion, or problems with speech; feeling hot or cold all the time; problems concentrating.
Other: Headache, tiredness, mild fever, dizziness, muscle pain, joint pain, trouble sleeping, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, hair thinning or hair loss, sweating, irritation at the spot where the shot is given.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not have any live virus vaccines while receiving this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Do not shake the vials or syringes containing this medicine. Do not let it freeze or leave it in direct sunlight. If you think the medicine has been frozen or left in direct sunlight, do not use it and contact your healthcare provider for instructions.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
