Precautions and warnings

**Caution is needed for people with certain health problems when using this medication.** Stop treatment if severe mental symptoms get worse or don’t improve. Use carefully in people with low blood counts, anemia (especially spherocytosis or history of stomach bleeding), lung disease, autoimmune or heart disease, diabetes, infections, poor blood flow, kidney or thyroid problems; those who haven’t responded to other alpha interferon treatments; people with organ transplants; those also infected with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV; or those with both Hepatitis C and HIV who have low CD4+ cell counts.

Safety and effectiveness haven’t been proven in children, and extra caution is needed for elderly patients. Do not change interferon brands without your doctor’s advice due to differences between products. People with Hepatitis B need more frequent liver function checks and may need lower doses. Handle and throw away this medication safely, as it is hazardous. The medicine may make you drowsy, so avoid driving or using machines until you know how it affects you.

Drug Interactions

Taking ribavirin can raise the risk of side effects such as haemolytic anemia, birth defects, fetal death, and may cause genetic mutations or even cancer. Ribavirin also affects how other drugs work: it slows down the breakdown of theophylline and zidovudine in the body, which can increase their side effects or toxicity. People with hepatitis C should avoid drinking alcohol (ethanol).

Contraindications

Do not use this product if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. It should not be used by people with autoimmune hepatitis, those with severe liver disease related to cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score over 6), or by patients with chronic hepatitis C who also have HIV and significant liver problems (Child-Pugh class B or C). This product is also not for use in newborns or infants. Pregnant women should not use this product with ribavirin.

Mode of actions

Peginterferon alfa-2a is a type of interferon protein that is attached to polyethylene glycol (PEG), which helps keep it in the blood longer and at higher levels. This medication has antiviral effects, can slow down cell growth, and helps regulate the immune system. Interferons work by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cells. When this happens, several things occur: certain genes are turned on, cell growth is slowed down, cells develop in different ways, cancer-related gene activity is affected, the display of certain proteins on cell surfaces changes, the ability of immune cells called macrophages to engulf invaders increases, and other immune cells called lymphocytes become better at killing target cells.

Dosage & Administration

Adult: Chronic hepatitis C: The recommended dose of Peg interferon is 180 mcg once weekly for 48 weeks by subcutaneous administration on abdomen or thigh.

Chronic hepatitis B: The recommended dose of Peg interferon is 180 mcg once weekly for 48 weeks by subcutaneous administration on abdomen or thigh.

Hepatitis C (Genotype 1 & 4)
Monotherapy: 180 mcg once weekly for 48 weeks
Dual therapy: Peginterferon Alfa-2a: 180 mcg once weekly for 48 weeks; : Ribavirin: < 75 kg= (400+0+600) mg, > 75 kg= (600+0+600) mg.

Hepatitis C (Genotype 2 & 3)
Monotherapy: 180 mcg once weekly for 48 weeks.
Dual therapy: Peginterferon Alfa-2a: 180 mcg once weekly for 24 weeks; Ribavirin: (400+0+400) mg.

Renal impairment: ESRD requiring haemodialysis: 135 mcg/wk; monitor for toxicity.

CrCl (ml/min)
5 times the upper limits of normal: Monitor LFTs more frequently; consider 135 mcg/wk or temporarily discontinuing (may resume after ALT flare subsides). ALT >10 times the upper limits of normal: Consider discontinuing.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Although animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, but during pregnancy, this medicine can be used just when definitely required despite potential risks.

Mothers with a newborn baby who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may seldom create symptoms including drowsiness, muscle stiffness or shakiness, feeding or breathing troubles, constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms of your baby's particularly during their first month, tell the doctor immediately.

This medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.

Pack Size & Price