Interferon Alfacon-1, Injection

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiviral; biological response modulator; immune system booster

Generic and brand names: interferon alfacon-1, injection; Infergen

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to treat chronic hepatitis C virus infection. This medicine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a blood disorder such as anemia
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or steroid medicine
• depression or other mental disorder
• diabetes
• eye problems
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• high triglycerides
• liver disease
• thyroid problems

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant because it can harm the baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while receiving these shots. If you get pregnant while receiving these shots, tell your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while receiving these shots without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These shots are usually given 3 times a week for 24 weeks. Shots must be given at least 48 hours apart. You may be given a second series of shots if you did not get better after the first series. Treatment may be delayed or stopped if your side effects become too bothersome.

The shots are given just under the skin. Your healthcare provider will determine the exact dosage. 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. 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 convenient prefilled syringes and needles ready for one-time use only. They should never be reused and must be discarded safely.

Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Wash your hands before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots:

1. Your healthcare provider will tell you where you can give yourself the shots (abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or other sites). If you are giving the shot in your abdomen, choose a site around the belly button but not in the belly button. Each day, choose a different spot for the shot to lessen irritation.
2. Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot.
3. Gently pinch up the skin and insert the needle into the skin at a 45° angle. After you insert the needle completely, release your grasp of the skin.
4. Inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger.
5. After you have given yourself the shot, withdraw the needle and syringe and press an alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.
6. Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.
7. When you repeat the procedure, use a new pack.

If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

What if I overdose?

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.

What should I watch out for?

If you become depressed or have thoughts of suicide while receiving this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.

If you have loss of vision or other eye problems while receiving these shots, tell your healthcare provider right away.

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.

Both males and females should use effective birth control while taking this medicine.

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. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking 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.

What are the possible side effects?

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): Severe depression, thoughts of suicide, changes in vision, unusual bruising or bleeding, fever, chills, cough, blood in urine, bloody stools, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, numbness or tingling of fingers, toes, or face.

Other: Headache, tiredness, fever, muscle pain, joint pain, back pain, arm or leg pain, trouble sleeping, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, irritation at the spot where the shot is given, nervousness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

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:

• antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and itraconazole (Sporanox)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and primidone (Mysoline)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• erythromycin (Erythrocin, EES, Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, EryPed)
• medicines that affect the bone marrow such as allopurinol (Zyloprim, Aloprim), paclitaxel (Taxol, Onxol), and vinblastine (Velban)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• theophylline
• zidovudine (Retrovir)

Do not get live virus vaccines while receiving this medicine.

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.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Do not shake the vials or syringes containing this medicine. Do not let it freeze.

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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.

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