Peginterferon Alfa-2b, 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: peginterferon alfa-2b; Peg-INTRON; Peg-INTRON Redipen

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shot) to treat chronic hepatitis C in people over 18 years of age.

It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

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

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a heart attack, rapid or irregular heartbeat, or other heart problems
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or steroid medicine
• an autoimmune disease such as lupus, psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis
• bleeding disorders or bone marrow problems
• colitis
• diabetes
• eye problems such as retinopathy
• high level of triglycerides in the blood
• kidney disease
• low or high blood pressure
• lung or breathing problems
• mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, or schizophrenia
• other types of liver disease
• problems with alcohol or drug abuse
• thyroid problems

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.

How do I use it?

These shots are given just under the skin once a week for 1 year. Your healthcare provider will determine the exact dosage. If your healthcare provider is giving you the shots, keep all your appointments.

This medicine comes as a Redipen or 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.

What if I miss a dose?

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.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

You need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

This medicine may increase your risk for infections and bleeding. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Do not have vaccines while taking this medicine without your provider's approval. Call your provider right away if you have:

• signs of infection such as fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or trouble urinating
• signs of bleeding problems such as unexplained weakness, dizziness, or bruising; bleeding from the gums; pinpoint red spots on the skin; black, tarry stools; or dark or bloody urine

This medicine may also affect your moods and behavior. Call your provider right away if you have:

• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
• severe depression or thoughts of suicide or thoughts of harming others

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Daily use of alcohol and this medicine may increase your risk for stomach or intestinal bleeding. This medicine may also increase the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. 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.

Have an eye exam before you start treatment with this medicine. Some eye problems are possible with this medicine. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, have eye exams during treatment.

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.

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 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, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, rapid heartbeat, blurred vision or any changes in vision, chest pain, sore throat, cough, unusual bruising or bleeding, trouble urinating or decrease in urine output.

Other: Headache, muscle aches and pains, unexplained weight loss, trouble sleeping, tiredness, pain at the site of the injection, hair loss, nausea, vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been identified, identified but the following drugs may increase the risk of certain side effects:

• ACE inhibitors such as enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), fosinopril (Monopril), captopril (Capoten), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and benazepril (Lotensin)
• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), triazolam (Halcion), temazepam (Restoril), flurazepam (Dalmane), and oxazepam (Serax)
• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
• clozapine (Clozaril)
• herbs with sedative effects such as kava, St. John's wort, gotu kola, and valerian
• narcotic pain medicines such as codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin), morphine (MS Contin), propoxyphene (Darvocet N-100), pentazocine (Talwin), meperidine (Demerol), fentanyl (Duragesic patches), methadone (Dolophine), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• theophylline (Elixophyllin, Quibron, Theo-24, Uniphyl)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

Do not drink alcohol while taking 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 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.

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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.

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