Peginterferon Alfa-2A
Description
Peginterferon Alfa-2A is used for the treatment of chronic conditions of hepatitis C and hepatitis B in patients with compensated liver disease. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Peginterferon Alfa-2A
- Depression
- Irritability
- Sleeplessness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Hair loss
- Blurred vision
- Dehydration
- Cough
- Abdominal pain
- Dry skin
Uses of Peginterferon Alfa-2A
What is it prescribed for?
- Chronic Hepatitis C
- Chronic Hepatitis B
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to interferon alpha or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Autoimmune hepatitis
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with autoimmune hepatitis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Ribavirin
This medicine is not recommended for use in combination therapy with ribavirin in pregnant women or in men with pregnant female partners due to the increased risk of fetal damage.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition
General warnings
Psychiatric problems
Use of this medicine can cause life-threatening or fatal neuropsychiatric reactions. These include suicide, suicidal tendency, depression, and an increased risk of relapse of recovering drug addicts. Educate the patients and their caregivers to report any symptoms of depression or suicidal tendency to the doctor so that counseling and monitoring of progress can be performed at regular intervals.
Bone marrow suppression
Use of this medicine can cause bone marrow depression. Severe decreases in white blood cell or platelet counts have been reported with this medicine. Close monitoring of blood cell count and symptoms for any infections should be monitored. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Growth retardation in Children
Use of Combination therapy with this medicine is reported to cause growth inhibition and weight loss in pediatric patients.
Severe allergic reactions
This medicine may cause severe allergic reactions. In case of any such reactions, treatment should be discontinued and appropriate medical therapy should be instituted immediately.
Autoimmunity
Use of this medicine can develop different auto-antibodies in the body which may lead to various autoimmune disorders. Close monitoring of symptoms, auto-antibodies, and TSH levels are recommended.
Liver decompensation
Cirrhotic chronic hepatitis C patients co-infected with HIV receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and alpha interferons with or without ribavirin appear to be at increased risk for development of hepatic decompensation compared to patients not receiving HAART. Close monitoring of hepatic function during treatment is necessary and discontinue immediately if decompensation (A Child-Pugh score greater than 6) observed.
Contraception
Use of this medicine in combination with ribavirin may increase the risk of harm to the unborn baby in pregnant women. Effective contraception is advised for the men with female partners and women with the childbearing potential to avoid such risks. Birth controls should be administered while receiving this medicine and for 4-7 months post-therapy to prevent the pregnancy.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is administered in a healthcare setup the chances of missed dose are less. The missed dose of this medicine should be administered as soon as possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it is already the time for your next scheduled dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Tramadol
Adalimumab
Bexarotene
Clozapine
Deferiprone
Disease interactions
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with renal dysfunction due to increased risk of worsening of the condition. Close monitoring of renal function, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Autoimmune disorders
This medicine should be used with extreme caution or should be avoided in patients with autoimmune diseases due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver dysfunction due to increased risk of worsening of the condition. Close monitoring of liver function, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Cardiovascular disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with cardiac dysfunctions such as hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring of cardiac function, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
CNS disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with seizures, psychiatric disorders or conditions affecting posture or gait due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Thyroid disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with thyroid abnormalities due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring of thyroid levels, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Diabetes Mellitus
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus due to increased risk of precipitation of ketoacidosis. Close monitoring of blood glucose, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Bone marrow suppression
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from bone marrow suppression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Eye disorder
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with eye disorders due to an increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Patients should have periodic eye examinations during the treatment. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Lung disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with lung diseases due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Administer this medicine as advised by the doctor. It should be given in multiple cycles along with other antiviral agents. It is important to receive every scheduled dose. The blood cells, liver function, cardiac function, renal function should be assessed before starting the treatment. Any signs and symptoms of heart and liver dysfunction should be reported to the doctor on priority.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by promoting certain reactions in the infected cells which prevent viral replication and suppression of viral multiplication.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antiviral interferons
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
Peginterferon alfa-2a - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 4 Feb 2019
Disclaimer
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