Type of medicine: antiviral; biological response modulator; immune system booster; interferon
Generic and brand names: peginterferon alfa-2b; Peg-Intron; Peg-Intron Redipen
This medicine is given by injection (shot) to treat chronic hepatitis C in people over 18 years of age. It may also be given along with ribavirin to treat chronic hepatitis C in people 3 years of age and older.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
If you have any of these problems, you may need special care. Talk to your healthcare provider about what you should do.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever been treated with interferon before.
Females of childbearing age (if taking this medicine alone): Tell 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.
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.
These shots are usually given just under the skin once a week for up to 1 year. 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 Redipen or as a powder in a vial to use with a syringe. 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. Be sure you know how and when to have them and how much medicine to use. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots.
If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.
When people take this medicine, they may get symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and fever. You can reduce some of these symptoms by using the medicine at bedtime or by taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.
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, 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.
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. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
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.
This medicine along with ribavirin may cause teeth or gum problems. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and have regular dental exams. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Have an eye exam before you start treatment with this medicine. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, have eye exams during treatment.
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 immediately, get emergency medical care, or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your tongue or throat, trouble breathing.)
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Depression, thoughts of suicide or thoughts of harming others, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), mood changes, anxiety, severe stomach or back pain, bloody diarrhea, severe nausea or vomiting, high fever, rapid or irregular heartbeat, blurred vision or any changes in vision, chest pain, trouble breathing, sore throat, cough, unusual bruising or bleeding, trouble urinating or decrease in urine output, dark urine, yellowing of eyes or skin, unusual tiredness or weakness; sudden loss of coordination or balance, sudden headache, confusion, or problems with speech; feeling hot or cold all the time; problems concentrating; numbness or tingling in hands or feet.
Other: Headache, muscle aches and pains, mild fever, unexplained weight loss, trouble sleeping, tiredness, pain at the site of the injection, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dry mouth, sweating, dizziness.
No significant drug interactions have been identified, identified but the following drugs may increase the risk of certain side effects:
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 the powder vials at room temperature and the Redipen in the refrigerator. After mixing the solution, you may store the medicine in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Do not freeze. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or drug 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.
