Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: PEGINTERFERON (peg-IN-ter-FEER-on) ALFA-2a
Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution is an interferon used for treating chronic hepatitis C infection in patients who have controlled liver disease and have not been previously treated with interferon alfa. Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution is used either alone or in combination with other medicines. It is also used to treat certain patients with hepatitis B. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION MAY CAUSE OR WORSEN fatal or life-threatening medical conditions, including mental or mood problems (eg, depression, suicidal thoughts or behaviors), immune system problems (eg, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), blood vessel problems (eg, ischemia), and infection. These problems usually go away after stopping Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution, but not always. If you have a history of any of these problems or develop them while using Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution, tell your doctor immediately. PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION IS SOMETIMES USED WITH ANOTHER MEDICINE CALLED RIBAVIRIN. Ribavirin may cause birth defects or fetal death and must not be used during pregnancy. Women who use ribavirin and female partners of men who use ribavirin and are of childbearing potential must avoid becoming pregnant. Two forms of effective birth control must be used during treatment with ribavirin and for 6 months after ribavirin treatment is stopped. Ribavirin can cause a certain blood disorder called hemolytic anemia, which may worsen existing heart disease. Ribavirin may also potentially cause cancer. Tell your doctor immediately if any serious symptoms or side effects occur. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (eg, zidovudine); methadone; or theophylline. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of heart problems or heart attack; kidney problems; bone marrow problems; blood or bleeding disorders (eg, sickle cell anemia or thalassemia major); stroke; thyroid problems; lung problems (eg, asthma, pneumonia); stomach or intestinal problems (eg, colitis, blood in the stools or vomit); pancreas problems; eye problems; autoimmune disease (eg, psoriasis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis); cancer; diabetes; high cholesterol or lipids in your blood; HIV infection; liver problems other than hepatitis C (eg, cirrhosis, hepatitis B infection); organ transplant; seizures; mental or mood problems (eg, depression, anxiety); suicidal thoughts or behaviors; alcohol or other substance abuse; or allergies. USE OF PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. USE OF PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have hepatitis caused by your immune system attacking your liver (autoimmune hepatitis); unstable or severe liver disease; or a bleeding disorder (eg, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia major). PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION HAS BENZYL ALCOHOL IN IT. DO NOT USE IT IN NEWBORNS OR INFANTS. It may cause serious and sometimes fatal nervous system problems and other side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution.
Follow the directions for taking Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution provided by your doctor. Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully each time you refill Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution. Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution is sometimes used with another medicine called ribavirin, which comes with its own MEDICATION GUIDE. If you are also using ribavirin, be sure to read its Medication Guide carefully each time you get it filled. Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. IF YOU WILL BE USING PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION AT HOME, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions. DO NOT USE ANOTHER BRAND OF PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION OR CHANGE YOUR DOSE without talking with your doctor. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions. IF THE EXPIRATION DATE OF PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION HAS PASSED, if the medicine contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial or prefilled syringe is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it. DO NOT SHAKE Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution. BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE demonstrated to you to prevent contamination of the vial, syringe, or medicine. Never touch the rubber stopper of the vial or the needle of the syringe with your fingers. Carefully check that you have drawn the correct dose before administration. EACH VIAL OR PREFILLED SYRINGE IS FOR A SINGLE USE only. Throw away any unused medicine. STORE PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not freeze. Do not leave out of the refrigerator for more than 24 hours. Do not store in the bathroom. USE PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE to get the most benefit from it. Using Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution at the same time each week will help you remember to use it. CONTINUE TO USE PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution and you remember within 2 days of the missed dose, use it as soon as possible and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If more than 2 days have passed, contact your doctor for instructions. Do not use 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION IF you are allergic to any ingredient in Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution or to another alpha interferon. LAB TESTS, including eye exams; pregnancy tests; blood counts; blood pressure; heart, liver, kidney, thyroid, and lung function tests; blood glucose levels; and other blood tests, may be performed while you use Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LAB APPOINTMENTS. PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, OR VISION CHANGES. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION MAY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CLOT-FORMING CELLS (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools. PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION MAY LOWER THE ABILITY OF YOUR BODY TO FIGHT INFECTION. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills. PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION IS NOT A CURE FOR HEPATITIS C infection and may not prevent you from spreading hepatitis C infection to others. PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION MAY CAUSE HIGH OR LOW BLOOD SUGAR (eg, thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, fruity breath odor, fast heartbeat, headache, chills, sweating, tremor, increased hunger, changes in vision, nervousness, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, fainting). If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor immediately. TELL YOUR DOCTOR OR DENTIST THAT YOU TAKE PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. USE PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION WITH CAUTION IN THE ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially heart effects, nervous system effects, and systemic side effects (eg, flu-like symptoms). Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution has benzyl alcohol in it. DO NOT USE IT IN NEWBORNS or INFANTS. It may cause serious and sometimes fatal nervous system problems and other side effects. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU ARE ABLE TO BECOME PREGNANT, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the use of effective birth control while using Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution. IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution while you are pregnant. Use of Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution with ribavirin during pregnancy has resulted in birth defects and fetal death. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION IS FOUND in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution include diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; dry or irritated skin; hair thinning; headache; loss of appetite; mild flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches, or joint pain); nausea; pain, redness, itching, or swelling at the injection site; taste changes; temporary hair loss; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; or weakness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience back pain; blisters or sores in the eyes, nose, or mouth; bloody or black, tarry stools; burning, numbness, or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet; chest pain; confusion; dark urine, change in the amount of urine produced, or painful urination; difficulty hearing or hearing loss; eye pain or redness; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; one-sided weakness; pale stools; persistent or severe diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting; persistent or severe fever, chills, or sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or unusual tiredness or weakness; slurred speech; stomach bloating; sudden leg pain; sudden severe dizziness, fainting, headache, or vomiting; sudden shortness of breath; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, aggressive or unusual behavior, depression, hallucinations, irritability, suicidal thoughts or behavior); unusually increased thirst; vision loss or other vision changes; weight loss; worsening psoriasis; or yellowing of the eyes or skin. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Pegasys 180mcg/ml Solution is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; or unusual hoarseness. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal. IF YOU WILL BE USING PEGASYS 180mcg/ml SOLUTION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out.
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