Type of medicine: antiviral
Generic and brand names: peginterferon alfa-2a, oral; Pegasys
This medicine is given by injection (shot) to treat continuing (chronic) hepatitis C virus infections in adults who have never taken interferon alfa. It may be given alone or along with ribavirin (Copegus).
This medicine may also be used to treat continuing (chronic) hepatitis B virus infections in adults who have signs of liver damage.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age (if taking this medicine alone): Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Females of childbearing age (if taking this medicine with ribavirin): This medicine has been reported to cause birth defects. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
Do not take this medicine in combination with ribavirin if you:
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill. If you are taking this medicine along with ribavirin, also read the Medication Guide for ribavirin.
The shots are given just under the skin, usually once a week. 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.
This medicine comes as a liquid in a single-use vial, in a prefilled syringe, or in an autoinjector. Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Your provider will show you how to prepare and measure your dose, and how to inject yourself before you use a single-use vial, prefilled syringe, or autoinjector for the first time. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Use each single-use vial, prefilled syringe, or autoinjector only once and dispose of them safely, following your healthcare provider's instructions.
Wash your hands before using this medicine. Do not shake the medicine. Give yourself your once-a-week shot on the same day each week so that you will remember.
If you are giving yourself the shots, be sure to visit your healthcare provider regularly so that your condition can be monitored.
There are many different type of interferon products. Do not switch brands or change your dose without talking with your healthcare provider.
If you miss a dose on your regular day and it is within 2 days of when you should have taken it, give yourself the shot as soon as you remember it and then to take your next dose on the day you normally do. Do not give double doses. If more than 2 days have passed, ask your healthcare provider what you should do.
Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.
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.
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.
Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
You need regular blood tests and exams to find out how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments.
Weight loss and slowed growth are common in children during treatment with this medicine and ribavirin. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Avoid alcohol while you are receiving this medicine and do not take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.
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.
This medicine does not cure hepatitis B or hepatitis C or keep you from spreading it to other people. Do not share needles, toothbrushes, or razor blades with others.
Have an eye exam before you start treatment with this medicine. If you have eye problems or have had them in the past, you may need eye exams while taking this medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
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 cannot 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): Irritability; depression; anxiety; thoughts of suicide; hallucinations; unusual behavior; trouble breathing; vision changes; severe chest pain; unusual bleeding or bruising; high fever; cough; sore throat; bloody diarrhea; severe stomach pain or low back pain; severe nausea or vomiting; fast or irregular heartbeat; unusual tiredness or weakness; rash with fever or blisters; loss of coordination; trouble speaking; sudden headache; confusion; sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of your body; change in how much or how often you urinate; dark urine; yellowing of eyes or skin; severe or worsening muscle or joint pain.
Other: Mild fever, chills, muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, nausea, or vomiting; taste changes; diarrhea; rash; dry or itchy skin; hair loss; loss of appetite; dizziness; trouble sleeping; redness and swelling at the injection site.
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 drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
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 let it freeze. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Do not use the medicine if:
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.
