Type of medicine: biological response modulator; immune system booster
Generic and brand names: peginterferon alfa-2b; Sylatron
This medicine is given by injection (shot) to keep skin cancer (melanoma) from coming back after it has been removed by surgery.
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: 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.
These shots are given just under the skin 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.
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. 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.
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: headache, muscle pain, severe tiredness, unusual bruising or bleeding.
This medicine can cause serious or life-threatening side effects. It can cause or worsen diabetes, and diseases of the eyes, mind, heart, thyroid, and liver. It is important you understand the serious problems that may be caused by this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this before starting treatment with this medicine.
You need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
This medicine may also affect your moods and behavior while you use it and for up to 6 months after you stop treatment. Call your provider right away if you have:
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.
You may need an eye exam before you start treatment with this medicine. Some eye problems are possible with this medicine. Talk with 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 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; confusion; memory changes; blurred vision or any changes in vision; chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; trouble breathing; unusual bruising or bleeding; trouble urinating or change in urine output; dark urine; yellowing of eyes or skin; unusual tiredness or weakness; increased thirst; trouble concentrating; feeling cold or hot all the time.
Other: Headache, muscle aches and pains, mild fever, unexplained weight loss, trouble sleeping, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, change in sense of taste; hair loss; pain, redness, swelling, or itching at 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 at room temperature. After mixing the solution, you may store it in the refrigerator for 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.
