uses
What is Pegasys used for?Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a) is commonly used for certain types of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C.Pegasys may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.How does Pegasys work (mechanism of action)?Pegasys works by activating the immune system to slow the spread of the hepatitis B or C virus and reduce liver damage.How is Pegasys supplied (dosage forms)?Brands and other namesPegasysDosage forms and strengths180 mcg/mL single-dose vial180 mcg/0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringeHow should I store Pegasys?Pegasys should be stored in the refrigerator, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Do not leave this medicine outside of the refrigerator for more than 24 hours. Protect it from light. Do not freeze it.
how to use
liquid that is injected under the skin
drug interactions
Does Pegasys interact with foods or drinks?There are no known interactions between Pegasys and foods or drinks.Avoid drinking alcohol while using Pegasys. Both alcohol and Pegasys can cause liver damage. Drinking alcohol may make this worse. Does Pegasys interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Pegasys.Theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24), which is a medicine for asthma or certain other breathing problemsMethadone, which is an opioid medicine used to treat pain or opioid use disorderA nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, which is a medicine used for HIV or AIDSPegasys may alter the blood levels of some other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Pegasys. Always check with your health care provider.
side effects
What are the most common side effects of Pegasys?The most common side effects of Pegasys are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.Feeling unusually weak or tiredFever, chills, or flu-like symptomsMuscle or joint painHeadacheThere may be other side effects of Pegasys that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.What are the serious side effects of Pegasys?While less common, the most serious side effects of Pegasys are described below, along with what to do if they happen.Severe Allergic Reactions. Pegasys may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Pegasys and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.Breathing problems or wheezingRacing heartFever or general ill feelingSwollen lymph nodesSwelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throatTrouble swallowing or throat tightnessItching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hivesNausea or vomitingDizziness, feeling lightheaded, or faintingStomach crampsJoint painDepression, Suicidal Thoughts, or Other Mental Health Conditions. Pegasys may cause mood or behavioral problems. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms or occurrences.New or increased thoughts of suicide or death, or hurting othersSuicide attemptActing aggressive, angry, or violentNew or increased feelings of irritability, anxiety, or depressionOther unusual changes in mood or behaviorHeart Problems or Stroke. Pegasys may cause heart problems, such as high blood pressure, an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), a heart attack, or stroke. These can sometimes lead to death. Do not use Pegasys if you have had a recent heart attack without talking to your health care provider. This could increase your risk of having another heart attack. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.Chest pain or pressureFast or abnormal heartbeatTrouble breathingPain in your back, jaw, throat, or armSweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizzinessSudden weakness or numbness on one side of your bodySudden and severe headacheSlurred speech or trouble understanding speechAutoimmune Conditions. Pegasys may cause new or worsening autoimmune conditions, which means the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. These conditions may include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriasis. Your health care provider will monitor you for these conditions. Tell your health care provider about any new or worsening symptoms. Infections. Pegasys can increase your risk of infections, including serious infections. Call your health care provider right away if you have an infection or any of the following symptoms.Burning or stinging when you pee, or peeing more than usualCough or coughing up yellow or pink colored mucusFever, sweats, chills, or muscle achesBlood Disorders. Pegasys can cause blood disorders, such as anemia, low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), and low white blood cell levels (leukopenia or neutropenia). Notify your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.FeverShortness of breathPale or yellowish skinEasy bruising or bleedingFrequent infectionUnusual weakness or tirednessDizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass outHeadacheFast or abnormal heartbeatChanges in Thyroid or Blood Sugar Levels. Pegasys may cause changes in the levels of thyroid hormones or blood sugar levels. Follow your health care provider's instructions about any needed medicine changes. Keep all appointments to have your blood work checked. If you already have thyroid or blood sugar problems, your health care provider may check you more often to make sure it is safe for you to use Pegasys.Eye Problems. Pegasys may cause eye problems that can be serious and may lead to vision loss or blindness. You will likely have an eye exam before you start using Pegasys. If you have eye problems or a history of eye problems, you may need more frequent eye exams while you are using Pegasys. Call your health care provider right away if you have any vision changes while using Pegasys.Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using Pegasys. This can lead to liver failure and even death. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage, or if any previous symptoms become worse.Nausea, vomiting, or diarrheaStomach or belly pain or swellingFeverWeakness, unusual tiredness or sleepiness, or confusionItchingLoss of appetiteLight-colored poopDark-colored urine (pee)Easy bruising or bleedingYour skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)A caregiver or family member is unable to wake you upLung Problems. Pegasys can cause lung problems, including trouble breathing, interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis, and pneumonia. It can also cause new or worsening pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure of the lungs). This can be severe and may lead to death. Keep any appointments recommended by your health care provider, including chest X-rays or other tests. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. FeverCoughShortness of breath or trouble breathingColitis. Pegasys may cause colitis, which is an inflammation (swelling) of your intestines. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. Severe stomach painFeverBloody diarrhea or blood in your stool (poop)Inflammation of the Pancreas (Pancreatitis). Pegasys may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop using Pegasys and call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, including fever, nausea or vomiting, or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.Severe Skin Reactions. Pegasys can cause a severe skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop Pegasys and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS.Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels offFlat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitalsRed, painful, watery eyesFlu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle achesSlow Growth. Pegasys may slow down growth in children and adolescents who are still growing. Talk with the health care provider if you have any concerns about how your child is growing.
overdose and misseddose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Pegasys?If you or someone else has used too much Pegasys, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.What should I do if I miss a dose of Pegasys?If you miss your dose of Pegasys and it has been more than two days since the missed dose, call your health care provider for instructions. If it has been two days or less since your missed dose, inject your dose as soon as you remember. Then, inject your next dose at your usual time. Do not use double or extra doses.
warnings and Precautions
Who should not use Pegasys?Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Pegasys.Peginterferon alfa-2aPegasysAny other medicine known as an alpha interferonAny of the ingredients in the specific product dispensedYour pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Pegasys.Severe Skin Reactions. Pegasys should not be used if you have ever had Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) from any alpha interferon medicine, including Pegasys. Autoimmune Hepatitis. Pegasys should not be used if you have autoimmune hepatitis, a condition where the body’s immune system attacks its own liver.Cirrhosis. Pegasys should not be used in certain people with cirrhosis (a condition where scar tissue gradually replaces healthy liver tissue).Babies. Pegasys should not be used in newborns or infants less than 1 year old. Pegasys has benzyl alcohol in it. Benzyl alcohol may cause serious problems, including death, in babies. What should I know about Pegasys before using it?Do not use Pegasys unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed. This medicine is injected under the skin. There are multiple forms of Pegasys available. Read and follow the instructions for the product you have. Make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly prepare and use Pegasys. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.Do not share Pegasys with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.Keep Pegasys out of the reach of children. Since this medicine should be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.You should allow Pegasys to come to room temperature before using it. Rotate where you inject Pegasys. Do not use the same spot each time. Do not shake the vial.If you see leakage around the injection site after injecting Pegasys, call your health care provider. Pegasys is for single use only. You will use a new vial or prefilled syringe for each dose. Throw away any unused medicine after injecting your dose. Do not reuse needles, vials, or prefilled syringes. Throw them away in a sharps container.Pegasys can cause flu-like symptoms such as weakness, tiredness, fever, chills, muscle and joint pain, and headache. Injecting Pegasys in the evening may help reduce flu-like symptoms. Your health care provider may tell you that you can take over-the-counter pain or fever medicines to help prevent or reduce these symptoms.Pegasys can affect your alertness or coordination. If you have dizziness, confusion, tiredness, or sleepiness with Pegasys, do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination.People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk for some side effects from Pegasys. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.Pegasys may make it difficult for you to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns about fertility. Pegasys is sometimes used with other medicines. These medicines can have their own risks or side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns. What should I tell my health care provider before using Pegasys?Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Pegasys is right for you.In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following. Heart problems, including heart attack or high blood pressureLung, thyroid, or kidney problemsLiver problems other than hepatitis B or CHIVDiabetesColitisCancerAny type of autoimmune condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriasisAny blood disorders, blood clots, or bleeding problemsHigh triglyceridesOrgan transplantSubstance use disorder (drugs or alcohol)Mental health conditions, including depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviorOther Medicines and Supplements. Pegasys may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Pegasys, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions and Pregnancy sections for more details.Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Pegasys could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or get pregnant while using Pegasys. Some medicines that may be used with Pegasys could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider about all of the medicines you are using if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.Breastfeeding. It is not known if Pegasys passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Pegasys.How can I get more information about Pegasys?For more information about Pegasys, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.gene.com/patients/medicines/pegasys or call them at 888-835-2555.
about
Pegasys is injected under the skin to treat chronic hepatitis B and C. Common side effects include feeling unusually weak or tired, fever, chills, headache, and muscle or joint pain. Serious side effects are less common but can include infections or heart, liver, eye, thyroid, or blood sugar problems. Notify your health care provider right away if you have severe stomach or back pain.