Peginterferon Alfa-2B (Injection)

Peginterferon Alfa-2b (peg-in-ter-FEER-on AL-fa-2b)

Treats hepatitis C.

Brand Name(s):

PEG-Intron
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to peginterferon, or if you have certain other types of hepatitis or liver disease.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It may also be given by a home health caregiver.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• The vials (bottles) this medicine comes in should be used only one time.
• Never share your medicine with anyone.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. After the powder medicine has been mixed with the liquid, the mixture must be used right away or kept in the refrigerator and used within 24 hours. Do not freeze the powder or the mixture.
• After you have received each dose of medicine, throw away the used vials and any medicine left in them.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have thyroid problems, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, kidney disease, lung disease, high blood pressure, or a history of mental illness or drug or alcohol abuse.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• You may continue to have side effects for several months after you stop using this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
• Bloody or black, tarry stools, severe stomach pain, severe nausea and vomiting
• Chest pain, trouble breathing
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• Seeing or hearing things
• Sores or white patches in the mouth or throat
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual thoughts or behaviors, depression, thoughts of hurting yourself or others
• Vision problems

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Mild "flu-like" symptoms (muscle aches, sore throat, cough, fever, chills)
• Mild skin rash, redness, itching, or bruising where the shot is given

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.