Pegasys (Peginterferon alfa-2a) Patient Information: Missed a Dose and What Should I Avoid 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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Pegasys Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (Pegasys)?

Use the medicine as soon as you remember the missed dose, then go back to your regular schedule on the day your next dose is due. If you are more than 2 days late in using your injection, call your doctor for instructions. Do not use extra medicine to make up a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Pegasys)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a peginterferon alfa-2a overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while using peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys)?

Treatment with this medication does not prevent spread of the hepatitis virus to other people. Follow your doctor's instructions about how to prevent passing the disease to another person.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking peginterferon alfa-2a. Alcohol can increase the risk of damage to your liver.

Peginterferon alfa-2a can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What other drugs will affect peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys)?

The following drugs can interact with peginterferon alfa-2a. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

theophylline (Slo-Bid, Theobid, Theo-Dur, and others);
methadone (Diskets, Dolophine, Methadose); or
HIV or AIDS medication such as abacavir (Ziagen), didanosine (Videx), lamivudine (Epivir, Combivir), stavudine (Zerit), tenofovir (Viread), zalcitabine (Hivid), or zidovudine (Retrovir).

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with peginterferon alfa-2a. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about peginterferon alfa-2a.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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