Pronunciation: peg-IN-ter-FEER-on AL-fa
Generic Name: Peginterferon alfa-2b
Brand Name: Sylatron
Peginterferon alfa-2b may increase the risk of serious mental or mood problems, such as depression or suicidal thoughts or actions. Your doctor will monitor you for mental or mood changes while you use Peginterferon alfa-2b and for 6 months after you stop using it. Talk with your doctor to be sure that the benefits of using Peginterferon alfa-2b outweigh the risks.
Families and caregivers must closely watch patients who use Peginterferon alfa-2b. Tell the patient's doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like new or worsened depression, or suicidal thoughts or attempts. Discuss any questions or concerns with the patient's doctor.
Peginterferon alfa-2b is used for:
Treating skin cancer (melanoma) in certain patients.
Peginterferon alfa-2b is an interferon. Exactly how Peginterferon alfa-2b works to treat melanoma is not known.
Do NOT use Peginterferon alfa-2b if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Peginterferon alfa-2b or to interferon alfa-2b
- you have hepatitis caused by your immune system attacking your liver (autoimmune hepatitis) or severe liver damage
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Peginterferon alfa-2b:
Some medical conditions may interact with Peginterferon alfa-2b. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of mental or mood problems, suicidal thoughts or actions, or addiction to alcohol or another substance
- if you have kidney problems or liver problems (eg, cirrhosis)
- if you have a history of heart problems (eg, fast or irregular heartbeat, heart muscle problems), eye or vision problems, thyroid problems, diabetes or high blood sugar, or lupus
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Peginterferon alfa-2b. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines.
Ask your health care provider if Peginterferon alfa-2b may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Peginterferon alfa-2b:
Use Peginterferon alfa-2b as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Peginterferon alfa-2b comes with an additional patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Peginterferon alfa-2b refilled.
- Peginterferon alfa-2b may be given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Peginterferon alfa-2b at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use it. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
- Use your dose of Peginterferon alfa-2b 1 time per week unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Use it on the same day of each week, at about the same time of day.
- Use the proper technique taught to you by your doctor. Inject deep under the skin, NOT into muscle.
- Swirl gently to mix Peginterferon alfa-2b. Do not shake.
- Do not use Peginterferon alfa-2b if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Use a different injection site (eg, thigh, outer surface of your upper arm, stomach) each time you use Peginterferon alfa-2b. Do not inject yourself in the area around your belly-button or waistline. If you are very thin, do not inject Peginterferon alfa-2b into the stomach area. If you are unsure about where to inject Peginterferon alfa-2b, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not inject Peginterferon alfa-2b into an area that is irritated, bruised, red, infected, scarred, lumpy, or has stretch marks.
- Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Peginterferon alfa-2b is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.
- Peginterferon alfa-2b may cause flu-like side effects (eg, fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness). Check with your doctor to see if you should use Peginterferon alfa-2b at bedtime or take a nonprescription pain/fever reducer (eg, acetaminophen, ibuprofen) to decrease these effects.
- 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 miss a dose of Peginterferon alfa-2b, check with your doctor about what to do.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Peginterferon alfa-2b.
Important safety information:
- Peginterferon alfa-2b may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you use it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Peginterferon alfa-2b with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do NOT use more than the recommended dose. If you use more than your prescribed dose, contact your doctor right away.
- Peginterferon alfa-2b 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.
- Peginterferon alfa-2b 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.
- Peginterferon alfa-2b may increase the risk of serious and sometimes fatal liver problems, especially if you already have a certain liver problem (cirrhosis). Contact your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; pale stools; unusual loss of appetite, nausea, or stomach pain; yellowing of the skin or eyes; stomach swelling).
- Peginterferon alfa-2b may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
- Diabetes patients - Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Peginterferon alfa-2b may increase the risk of serious mental or mood problems. It may also increase the risk of relapse in recovering addicts. This has been reported up to 6 months after stopping treatment. Contact your doctor at once if you experience new or worsened depression; aggressive, restless, or irritable behavior; thoughts of hurting another person; suicidal thoughts or actions; or any unusual change in mood or behavior.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Peginterferon alfa-2b before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including liver function, thyroid function, and eye exams, may be performed while you use Peginterferon alfa-2b. You will also be monitored for mental or mood changes while you use Peginterferon alfa-2b and for 6 months after you stop using it. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Peginterferon alfa-2b with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects and are at an increased risk of serious side effects.
- Peginterferon alfa-2b should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Peginterferon alfa-2b can cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Peginterferon alfa-2b while you are pregnant. It is not known if Peginterferon alfa-2b is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Peginterferon alfa-2b.
Possible side effects of Peginterferon alfa-2b:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; hair thinning or loss; headache; loss of appetite; mild fever; muscle or joint pain or aches; nausea; taste changes; temporary redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site; tiredness; vomiting; weight loss.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloody, dark, or tarry stools; burning, numbness, or tingling; butterfly-shaped rash on the face; chest pain; confusion; decreased hearing or hearing loss; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, cough, or persistent sore throat; hallucinations; memory loss; new or worsening mental or mood problems (eg, aggression or thoughts of hurting others, depression, exaggerated sense of well-being, irritability); new or worsening vision problems (eg, blindness, decrease in vision clearness, blurred vision); one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or light-headedness; severe or persistent stomach pain; shortness of breath; slurred speech; suicidal thoughts or actions; symptoms of heart attack (eg, chest, jaw, or left arm pain; numbness of an arm or leg; sudden, severe headache or vomiting); symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased thirst, appetite, or urination; rapid breathing; fruit-like breath; unusual drowsiness); symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; pale stools; unusual loss of appetite or nausea; yellowing of the skin or eyes; stomach swelling); symptoms of thyroid problems (eg, feeling unusually cold or hot all the time, inability to concentrate, unexplained weight changes); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness.
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. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Peginterferon alfa-2b side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include headache; muscle aches or pain; severe tiredness; symptoms of low blood platelets (eg, unusual bruising or bleeding); or symptoms of low white blood cells (eg, fever, chills, sore throat).
Proper storage of Peginterferon alfa-2b:
Before mixing Peginterferon alfa-2b, store it at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom.
After you mix Peginterferon alfa-2b, use it right away. If you do not use it right away, it may be stored for up to 24 hours in a refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Throw away any mixed medicine that has not been used within 24 hours.
Do not mix more than 1 vial at a time. Do not freeze. Discard any used medicine appropriately. Keep Peginterferon alfa-2b out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Peginterferon alfa-2b, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Peginterferon alfa-2b is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Peginterferon alfa-2b. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Peginterferon alfa-2b resources
- Peginterferon alfa-2b Side Effects (in more detail)
- Peginterferon alfa-2b Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Peginterferon alfa-2b Drug Interactions
- Peginterferon alfa-2b Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Peginterferon alfa-2b - Add your own review/rating
Compare Peginterferon alfa-2b with other medications
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