Pegasys (Peginterferon alfa-2a) Drug Overview of Drug Interactions and Missed Dose for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Hepatitis C »

Hepatitis C infection facts

HCV is one of several viruses that cause hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).
Up to 85% of individuals who are initially (acutely) infected with HCV will fail to eliminate the virus and will become chronically infected.
HCV is spread most commonly through inadvertent exposure to infected blood. Intravenous drug abuse is the most common mode of transmission. The risk of acquiring HCV through sexual contact is low.
Generally, patients do not develop symptoms of chronic infection with HCV until they have extensive scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). Some individuals, however, may have fatigue and other non-specific symptoms in the absence of cirrhosis. A minority of patients with HCV have symptoms from organs outside of the liver.
In the U.S., Infection with HCV is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis and the most common reason for liver transplantation.
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Read the Hepatitis C article »

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DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: hydroxyurea, lamivudine, stavudine, telbivudine, theophylline, zidovudine.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood tests, thyroid tests, virus levels, kidney function tests, triglyceride levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Depending on your medical history, other tests (e.g., EKG) may be needed. Consult your doctor for more details.

You may need an eye exam before using this medication. If you have an eye disease or have a condition that places you at greater risk for eye disease (e.g., diabetes), you should have periodic eye exams while using this drug.

Do not change brands of interferon without checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Other interferons may not have the same effects on your disease.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose and you remember within 2 days of when you should have taken the medication, give the injection as soon as remembered. Take your next dose on the day you usually take it. If more than 2 days have passed since your missed dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist to establish a new dosing schedule.

STORAGE: Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).