Frequently Asked Questions About PEG-INTRON™
What is interferon?
What is pegylation?
What is PEG-INTRON therapy?
Why did my doctor prescribe PEG-INTRON therapy for me?
How long will I have to take PEG-INTRON therapy?
How do I know if treatment is working?
Why do I have to take PEG-INTRON™ by injection?
What should I do if I miss a PEG-INTRON injection?
Are there any side effects I should know about?
Will taking PEG-INTRON™ limit my normal activities?
Q: What is interferon?
A: Interferon is an immunity-boosting protein made
by your body. Many different cells in your body, including liver cells,
make it naturally to help you fight disease.
Q: What is pegylation?
A: Pegylation
is a process whereby a substance called polyethylene glycol (PEG) is
attached to a protein in order to extend protein activity. PEG is used
in everyday products, such as foods and cosmetics. When used in
prescription medications, active substances stay in the body longer
before they are completely broken down and eliminated.
Q: What is PEG-INTRON therapy?
A: PEG-INTRON™ is a pegylated interferon made by Schering
Hepatitis Innovations™. PEG-INTRON™ is used to treat chronic hepatitis C
in adults not previously treated with interferon alpha who have
compensated liver disease. The treatment has been proven to be more
effective than standard interferon and involves once-weekly injections.
Q: Why did my doctor prescribe PEG-INTRON therapy for
me?
A: Because you most likely have been infected with chronic
hepatitis C for 6 months or more, your doctor feels that you require
treatment. Without treatment, you run the risk of permanent liver
damage. Your doctor recommended PEG-INTRON therapy because there is
scientific information showing it has helped other people with chronic
hepatitis C.
Q: How long will I have to take PEG-INTRON therapy?
A: The recommended length of treatment by the FDA is one year.
Because people's reactions to PEG-INTRON™ vary, your treatment may be
shorter. Your doctor will decide how long you need to stay on PEG-INTRON™
for it to be most beneficial to you.
Q: How do I know if treatment is working?
A: At the end of 24 weeks, your doctor will test your blood again
to measure the amount of virus in your body. If viral levels have not
decreased, you may not be responding to treatment. At that point, your
doctor may decide to discontinue your therapy.
Q: Why do I have to take PEG-INTRON™ by injection?
A: If PEG-INTRON™ were taken in pill form, the acids produced by
your stomach would destroy it before it could enter your bloodstream.
Injecting PEG-INTRON™ puts it directly into your bloodstream, where the
medication works immediately.
Q: What should I do if I miss a PEG-INTRON injection?
A: If you miss a dose of PEG-INTRON™, take the missed dose as
soon as possible during the same day or the next day, then continue on
your regular dosing schedule. If several days go by after you miss a
dose, check with your doctor about what to do. Do not double the next
dose or take more than one dose a week without talking to your
healthcare professional. Call your healthcare professional right away if
you take more than your prescribed PEG-INTRON dose. Your doctor may wish
to examine you more closely and take blood for testing.
Q: Are there any side effects I should know about?
A: Possible, serious side effects include:
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Mental health problems and suicide. PEG-INTRON™ may cause patients to develop mood or behavioral problems. These can include irritability (getting easily upset) and depression (feeling low, feeling bad about yourself, or feeling hopeless). Some patients may have aggressive behavior. Former drug addicts may fall back into drug addiction or overdose. Some patients think about hurting or killing themselves or other people and some have killed (suicide) or hurt themselves or others. You must tell your doctor if you are being treated for a mental illness or had treatment in the past for any mental illness, including depression and suicidal behavior. You should tell your doctor if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol. |
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Heart problems. Some patients taking PEG-INTRON™ may develop problems with their heart, including low blood pressure, fast heart rate, and very rarely, heart attacks. Tell your doctor if you have had any heart problems in the past. |
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Blood problems. PEG-INTRON™ commonly lowers two types of blood cells (white blood cells and platelets). In some patients, these blood counts may fall to dangerously low levels. If your blood counts become very low, this could lead to infections or bleeding. |
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Body organ problems. Certain symptoms like severe stomach pain may mean that your internal organs are being damaged. |
While taking PEG-INTRON™, you should call your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms: new or worsening mental health problems such as thoughts about hurting or killing yourself or others, trouble breathing, chest pain, severe stomach or lower back pain, bloody diarrhea or bloody bowel movements, high fever, bruising, bleeding, or decreased vision.
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Other body organ problems. A few patients have lung problems (such as pneumonia or inflammation of the lung tissue), inflammation of the kidney, and eye disorders. |
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New or worsening autoimmune disease. Some patients taking PEG-INTRON™ develop autoimmune diseases (a condition where the body's immune cells attack other cells or organs in the body), including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis. In some patients who already have an autoimmune disease, the disease worsens on PEG-INTRON™. |
Common but less serious side effects include:
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Flu-like symptoms. Most patients who take PEG-INTRON™ have "flu-like" symptoms (headache, muscle aches, tiredness and fever) that usually lessen after the first few weeks of therapy. You can reduce some of these symptoms by injecting your PEG-INTRON™ dose at bedtime. Over-the-counter pain and fever reducers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can be used to prevent or reduce the fever and headache. |
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Extreme fatigue (tiredness). Many patients become extremely tired while on PEG-INTRON™. |
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Appetite problems. Nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss, occur commonly. |
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Thyroid problems. Some patients develop changes in the function of their thyroid. Symptoms of thyroid changes include the inability to concentrate, feeling cold or hot all the time, a change in your weight and changes to your skin. |
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Blood sugar problems. Some patients develop problems with the way their body controls their blood sugar and may develop high blood sugar or diabetes. |
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Skin reactions. Redness, swelling, and itching are common at the site of injection. If after several days these symptoms do not disappear contact your doctor. You may get a rash during therapy. If this occurs, your doctor may recommend medicine to treat the rash. |
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Hair thinning. Hair thinning is common during PEG-INTRON™ treatment. Hair loss stops and hair growth returns after therapy is stopped. |
These are not all of the side effects of PEG-INTRON™.
Your doctor or pharmacist can give you a more complete list.
Q: Will taking PEG-INTRON™ limit my normal activities?
A: While on PEG-INTRON therapy, many patients can go to work and
even travel. Whether you lead a more active life will depend on how you
feel and how comfortable you are with your therapy. Just keep in mind
that staying on PEG-INTRON™ for the entire time your doctor has
instructed is essential to receiving all the benefits of therapy.