PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B is in a class of medications called interferons. It can be used alone or in combination with other medications to treat chronic (long-term) hepatitis C infection (swelling of the liver caused by a virus) in people who show signs of liver damage and who have not been treated with interferon-alpha (a medication similar to peginterferon alfa-2b) in the past.
PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B contains Peginterferon alpha-2b works by decreasing the amount of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the body.
In some cases, PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B may cause side effects such as injection site reactions, breathing problems (including shortness of breath), feeling depressed, trouble sleeping, thinking, or concentrating, dizziness, severe stomach pain or cramps, fever or chills and painful or inflamed muscles (sometimes severe). PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B can induce or worsen serious or fatal conditions like infections, mental illness, mood and behaviour issues, or thoughts of hurting or killing oneself or others. You are advised to talk to your doctor if any of the side effects persist or worsen.
Extreme caution should be exercised while using PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B in patients with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, renal Insufficiency and depression. So, inform your doctor about all your medical conditions. Also, let your doctor know about all medications you are taking to rule out the potential interactions and adverse events. PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. It is unknown whether the components of this medicinal product are excreted in human milk. Breast-feeding should be stopped before starting treatment. Dosage is determined by body surface area and body weight in children three years of age and older and adolescent patients.
Chronic (long-term) hepatitis C infection
PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B contains Interferon beta-1A, which belongs to the class of medications called interferons. It can be used alone or in combination with other medications to treat chronic (long-term) hepatitis C infection (swelling of the liver caused by a virus) in people who show signs of liver damage and who have not been treated with interferon-alpha (a medication similar to peginterferon alfa-2b) in the past. It works by modulating the body's immune system.
PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B cause or worsen serious or fatal autoimmune, ischemic, neuropsychiatric, and infectious illnesses. Patients with these diseases should be examined on a regular basis by clinical and laboratory testing, and they should discontinue taking PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B. Many, but not all, of these issues are resolved once the PEG-Intron medicine is stopped.
Only a physician with experience managing hepatitis C patients should initiate and monitor treatment.
Pregnancy must be avoided at all costs in female patients or partners of male patients taking PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B in combination with ribavirin. Females of childbearing potential must use an effective contraceptive during treatment and four months after treatment. Male patients or their female partners must use an effective contraceptive during treatment and for seven months after treatment is completed.
The use of PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B in children and adolescents with serious psychiatric problems is not advised.
Patients having a history of depression and/or suicide attempts should be closely monitored.
Use of PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B is contraindicated in populations with hypersensitivity to the active substance, to any interferon, or to any of the excipients present in PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B.
Let your doctor know if you have a history of severe pre-existing cardiac disease, including unstable or uncontrolled cardiac disease in the previous six months, severe, debilitating medical conditions, autoimmune hepatitis or a history of autoimmune disease, severe hepatic dysfunction or decompensated cirrhosis of the liver, pre-existing thyroid disease unless it can be controlled with conventional treatment, epilepsy and/or compromised central nervous system (CNS) function and HCV/HIV patients with cirrhosis and a Child-Pugh score ≥ 6.
Drug-Drug Interactions: PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B may interact with medications used to treat chronic hepatitis B (e.g. telbivudine) and opioid analgesic (e.g. Methadone)
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B may interact with various disease conditions, including depression, suicidal tendency, substance use/abuse, Cardiac disease, Autoimmune hepatitis or a history of autoimmune disease, severe hepatic dysfunction or decompensated cirrhosis of the liver, Pre-existing thyroid disease, Epilepsy and/or compromised central nervous system (CNS) function and HCV/HIV patients with cirrhosis and a Child-Pugh score ≥ 6.
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, do not use PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B. You should not begin taking PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B until a pregnancy test has revealed that you are not pregnant. You or your partner may use effective birth control measures and be tested for pregnancy every month during your treatment and for six months afterwards. If you become pregnant at this period, contact your doctor right away. PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B may harm your fetus.
You should not breastfeed your baby while on treatment with PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B as it may harm your infant.
Do not drive or operate any machinery as PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B may make you drowsy, dizzy, or confused.
PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B is not recommended for use in patients with decompensated liver disease as it may worsen the condition. Inform your doctor if you have liver cirrhosis before receiving PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B.
Use PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B with caution if you have kidney disease, as this medicine may worsen your condition. Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Safety and effectiveness of PEGINTERFERON ALFA 2B in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not been established. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Hepatitis C refers to the inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV). This virus can cause lifelong serious illnesses like cancer and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). It can be both chronic and acute. Acute hepatitis C is a short-term infection with symptoms lasting up to 6 months. Chronic hepatitis C is a long-term infection that can last an entire life and lead to serious health issues if left untreated.
The majority of those suffering from hepatitis C don’t show any symptoms. However, some experience symptoms within 1 to 3 months of exposure to the virus. The symptoms may be fatigue, dark yellow urine, fever, joint pain, clay- or grey-coloured stool, loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen, vomiting or/and nausea and jaundice. Those suffering from chronic hepatitis C often don't have any symptoms until complications arise, which can happen years after exposure to HCV. Consequently, screening for this illness is essential despite having no symptoms.