Pegvisomant (Systemic)
Brand Names : Somavert
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pegvisomant, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to pegvisomant, rubber or latex. Also tell your doctor
and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods,
preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Pegvisomant has not been shown to cause birth defects
or other problems in humans. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor
knows if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether pegvisomant passes into
breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,
many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking
this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in
adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of pegvisomant
in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects
or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use
of pegvisomant in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
pegvisomant, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know
if you are taking any of the following:
-
Hypoglycemic agents (e.g., Glyburide), or
-
Insulin (e.g., Humulin, Novolin, Iletin) - Pegvisomant may cause
low blood sugar; your doctor may need to change the dose of your diabetes
medicine
-
Narcotic pain medicine (e.g., Demerol, Morphine) - Your doctor
may need to change your dose of pegvisomant if you use any of these medicines.
Other medical problems - The presence
of other medical problems may affect the use of pegvisomant. Make sure you
tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) - Pegvisomant may cause low
blood sugar; your doctor may need to change the dose of your diabetes medicine
-
Kidney disease, or
-
Liver disease - If you have this condition, pegvisomant may remain
in the body longer than normal; your doctor may need to change the dose of
your medicine
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