Pegasys
PEGASYS®
(peginterferon alfa-2a) Solution for Subcutaneous Injection
WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS DISORDERS AND RIBAVIRIN-ASSOCIATED EFFECTS
Alpha interferons, including PEGASYS (peginterferon alfa-2a), may cause or aggravate fatal or life-threatening neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic, and infectious disorders. Patients should be monitored closely with periodic clinical and laboratory evaluations. Therapy should be withdrawn in patients with persistently severe or worsening signs or symptoms of these conditions. In many, but not all cases, these disorders resolve after stopping PEGASYS therapy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS and Nonclinical Toxicology].
Use with Ribavirin
Ribavirin, including COPEGUS®, may cause birth defects and/or death of the fetus. Extreme care must be taken to avoid pregnancy in female patients and in female partners of male patients. Ribavirin causes hemolytic anemia. The anemia associated with ribavirin therapy may result in a worsening of cardiac disease. [See COPEGUS Package Insert for additional information and other warnings].
DRUG DESCRIPTION
PEGASYS, peginterferon alfa-2a, is a covalent conjugate of recombinant alfa-2a interferon (approximate molecular weight [MW] 20,000 daltons) with a single branched bis-monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain (approximate MW 40,000 daltons). The PEG moiety is linked at a single site to the interferon alfa moiety via a stable amide bond to lysine. Peginterferon alfa-2a has an approximate molecular weight of 60,000 daltons. Interferon alfa-2a is produced using recombinant DNA technology in which a cloned human leukocyte interferon gene is inserted into and expressed in Escherichia coli.
PEGASYS is a sterile, preservative-free, colorless to light yellow injectable solution administered subcutaneously.
180 mcg/1.0 mL Vial: Each vial contains approximately 1.2 mL of solution to deliver 1.0 mL of drug product. Subcutaneous (sc) administration of 1.0 mL of 180 meg of drug product (expressed as the amount of interferon alfa-2a) also contains acetic acid (0.05 mg), benzyl alcohol (10.0 mg), polysorbate 80 (0.05 mg), sodium acetate trihydrate (2.62 mg), and sodium chloride (8.0 mg) at pH 6.0 ± 0.5.
180 mcg/0.5 mL Prefilled Syringe: Each syringe contains 0.6 mL of solution to deliver 0.5 mL of drug product. Subcutaneous (sc) administration of 0.5 mL delivers 180 meg of drug product (expressed as the amount of interferon alfa-2a) also contains acetic acid (0.0231 mg), benzyl alcohol (5.0 mg), polysorbate 80 (0.025 mg), sodium acetate trihydrate (1.3085 mg), and sodium chloride (4.0 mg) at pH 6.0 ± 0.5.
What are the possible side effects of peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys, Pegasys ProClick Autoinjector)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- confusion, severe depression, thoughts of hurting yourself or others;
- unusual thoughts or behaviors, feeling anxious or aggressive;
- sudden weakness, loss of balance or coordination, or problems with speech;
- chest pain or heavy feeling, pain...
Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Pegasys »
What are the precautions when taking peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys)?
Before using peginterferon alfa-2a, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to polyethylene glycol (PEG); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: other severe liver disease (e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, hepatic decompensation).
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression), low blood counts (e.g., red cells, white cells, or platelets), heart disease, thyroid problems,...
Last reviewed on RxList: 8/22/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.
Additional Pegasys Information
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