PEGAFERON
PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2A · by SEARLE
Composition
Inj135 mcg/180 mcg: Per 0.5 ml: Peginterferonalfa-2a (rbe) 135 mcg/ 180 mcg, pre-filled syringe for single dose. Inj 135 mcg/180 mcg: Peginterferon alfa-2a (rbe) 135 mcg/180 mcg, 1 ml vial.
Indications & Dosage
Monotherapy for treatment of both HbE Ag-positive and HbE Ag-negative chronic hepatitis B: BY SC INJ: Adult: 180 mcg once weekly injection into abdomen or thigh given for 48 weeks. Combined with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C, Monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C if ribavirin not tolerated or contraindicated: BY SC INJ: Adult 180 mcg once weekly alone into abdomen or thigh given for 48 weeks. Combination therapy: In combination with ribavirin, the duration of combination therapy should be individualized based on patients viral genotype. Genotype 1& 4: For 48 weeks: 180 mcg once weekly plus 1000 mg ribavirin for body weight less than 75 kg; 180 mcg plus 1200 mg ribavirin for body weight more than 75 kg; Genotype 2 & 3: For 24 weeks: 180 mcg once weekly plus 800 mg ribavirin. HIV-HCV Co-infection: Adults: 180 mcg once weekly for 48 week alone or with ribavirin 800 mg regardless of genotype.
Administration
Administer in the abdomen or thigh. Rotate injection site.
Contraindications
History of severe cardiac disease or psychiatric disorder, autoimmune hepatitis, severe hepatic dysfunction or decompensated cirrhosis,
Precautions
Moderate renal or hepatic impairment; monitor function, reduce dose or withdraw if deteriorate. Examine eyes if loss of vision, auto-immune disease, psoriasis. Perform full blood, biochemical and thyroid tests before and during therapy. Suicidal tendencies; ask patients to report any signs of depression. Perform ECG if pre-existing cardiac disease, administer under supervision of physicians experienced in treatment of hepatitis C.
Interactions
Immunosuppressants, myelosopprasants, theophylline.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated
Lactation
Contraindicated
Side Effects
Anorexia, diarrhoea, influenza-likesymptoms, lethargy, nausea, alopecia, arrhythmias, cardiovascular problems, coma (usually with high doses in the elderly), confusion, depression, hepatotoxicity, hyperglycaemia, hypersensitivity reactions, hypertension, hypertriglyceridaemia (sometimes severe), hypotension, myelosuppression (particularly affecting granulocytecounts), nephrotoxicity, ocular side-effects, palpitation, psoriasiform rash, seizures (usually with high doses in the elderly), suicidal behavior, thyroid abnormalities