Peginterferon Alfa–2a : Before Using

Peginterferon Alfa–2a - Systemic

Brand Names

Pegasys Peginterferon Alfa–2a *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of using peginterferon alfa-2a must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For peginterferon alfa-2a, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to peginterferon alfa-2a. Also tell your family doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Peginterferon alfa-2a has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in pets have shown that peginterferon alfa-2a causes pregnancy losses. This drug must only be given to fertile women if they are using a proven form of birth control. Patients using peginterferon alfa-2a must assume that it is dangerous to pregnant women and their babies

Breast-feeding problem

It is not known if peginterferon alfa-2a passes into breast milk. It is sometimes dangerous to use medication while breast feeding. Mothers who are taking this drug and who wish to breast-feed must discuss this with their family doctor. A decision must be made whether to stop breast-feeding or to stop using peginterferon alfa-2a.

Use for Children

Studies of this drug have been done only in adult diseaseds and there is no special info comparing use of peginterferon alfa-2a in child with use in other age groups. However, this drug must not be using in newborns and infants because it has a substance that is harmful to newborns and infants.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people or if they cause various side effects or problems in elderly people. There is no special info comparing use of peginterferon alfa-2a in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking peginterferon alfa 2a, it is especially important that your family doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

Didanosine - Videx There have been reports of severe side effects when this drug is taken at the same time as peginterferon alfa-2a

Ribavirin - Virazole People are required to use two types of birth control when this drug is taken at the same time as peginterferon alfa-2a

Theophylline - Slo-bid, Theodur, Uniphyl The effects of this drug may be increased when it is taken with peginterferon alfa-2a

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription - over-the-counter "OTC " drug.

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of peginterferon alfa-2a. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Autoimmune hepatitis - serious liver disease peginterferon alfa-2a must not be using if you have this disease

Anemia - blood disease
Blood problems peginterferon alfa-2a may make these conditions worse and your family doctor may have you take a lower dose of this drug

Bone marrow illness peginterferon alfa-2a may make these conditions worse

Lung or breathing problems peginterferon alfa-2a may make these conditions worse

Diabetes mellitus - sugar diabetes
Hyperglycemia - high blood sugar
Hypoglycemia - low blood sugar
Hyperthyroidism - overactive thyroid gland
Hypothyroidism - underactive thyroid gland this drug must be using with caution in diseaseds with these conditions; if your condition is not well controlled with your drug you must not start using peginterferon alfa-2a

Heart problems peginterferon alfa-2a must be with caution in people with heart problems

HIV - human immunodeficiency virus
Hepatitis B virus - liver disease causing by a virus it is unclear how well this drug works and how safe this drug is when a patient has these conditions

Infections - serious infections causing by bacteria peginterferon alfa-2a therapy must be stopped in diseaseds who have serious infections

Interstitial nephritis - kidney inflammation
Myositis - muscular pain
Psoriasis - skin disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic Lupus - connective tissue disease
Thyroiditis - thyroid gland problem peginterferon alfa-2a may make these conditions worse and it must be using with caution in diseaseds who have these conditions

Kidney failure the dose of peginterferon alfa-2a may need to be lower for diseaseds who have this condition

Depression
Mental illness peginterferon alfa-2a must be using with caution in diseaseds with these conditions

Organ transplants it is not known if this drug is safe to use in diseaseds who have recently had organ transplants.