Roferon-A (Interferon alfa-2a, Recombinant) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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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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Roferon-A Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using interferon alfa-2a (Roferon-A)?

Do not use interferon alfa -2a without first talking to your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to an alfa interferon in the past or if you are allergic to E. coli derived products. Also, do not use interferon alfa-2a if you have an allergy to the preservative benzyl alcohol.

Before using interferon alfa-2a, talk to your doctor if you

a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, drug or alcohol abuse, or another mental illness;
an active infection;
heart disease or history of a heart attack;
an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or psoriasis;
have a suppressed immune system or have received an organ transplant,
have a seizure disorder,
have diabetes,
have bone marrow suppression,
have kidney disease, or
have liver disease.

You may not be able to use interferon alfa-2a, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Interferon alfa-2a is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether interferon alfa-2a will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether interferon alfa-2a passes into breast milk. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How should I use interferon alfa-2a (Roferon-A)?

Use interferon alfa-2a exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.

Interferon alfa-2a is used as an intramuscular or subcutaneous injection only. Your doctor or nurse will give you detailed instructions on how and where to inject this medication. Do not inject this medication if you are unsure how.

Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily to ensure adequate hydration, especially at the start of treatment.

Flulike symptoms are likely to occur. They are most common at the start of therapy and may decrease with continued use. Over-the-counter fever reducers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), and naproxen (Aleve), plenty of fluid, and taking the medication at bedtime may help to alleviate these symptoms.

Do not inject interferon alfa-2a if it is discolored or has particles in it.

Do not change the brand or generic formulation of interferon alfa-2a that you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Some brands of interferon alfa-2a are interchangeable while others are not. Your doctor and/or pharmacist know which brand/generic formulations may be substituted for another.

Do not shake the vial of interferon alfa-2a. If mixing is required, the vial should be gently swirled.

If the interferon alfa-2a you are using is preservative-free, use only one dose from each vial. Throw away any medicine that is not used with the first dose, do not save it for later use

Never reuse a needle or syringe. Dispose of all needles and syringes in an appropriate, puncture-resistant disposal container.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests performed before and periodically during treatment with an interferon alfa-2a.

It is not known whether treatment with alfa interferon will prevent the transmission of hepatitis to others. It is also not known whether alfa interferons will cure hepatitis or prevent cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer that may be the result of infection with a hepatitis virus.

Do not stop using this medication without first talking to your doctor.

Store interferon alfa-2a in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius). Do not allow interferon alfa-2a to freeze. The Roferon-A multidose vials of injectable solution should be used within 30 days after the first dose is taken from the vial.

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