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| Pronunciation |
|
 (in
ter FEER on AL fa con
one) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Infergen® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Interferon |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- Allergy to interferon alfacon-1 or any component, other alpha
interferons, or E. coli
-derived products
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat adults with chronic hepatitis C
infections. It is used in patients whose liver has not been severely affected by
the infection.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Interferon alfacon-1 works against the virus that causes hepatitis
C.
|
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- It is taken as a shot into the fatty part of the skin. This is called
a subcutaneous shot. Your healthcare provider may teach you how to give the shot
at home.
- It is usually given three times a week for about 6 months. Usually
Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday are good schedules to
follow. Your healthcare provider may have a certain schedule for you.
- Follow instructions closely if you or a family member are giving the
shot at home.
- There is usually one dose in each vial. Throw the vial away after a
single use. Do not reuse.
- Throw away needles in red box and return box to healthcare provider
when full.
|
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Give a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If the next dose is less than 48 hours away call healthcare provider.
Your schedule may change.
- Do not take a double dose, extra doses, or change
brands.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
- Talk with healthcare provider if you have a history of depression or
other mental disorders.
- Talk with healthcare provider if you have a history of heart or
thyroid disease or if you have a weakened immune system.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust during treatment and for 6 months after treatment.
- Men, do not get your partner pregnant. Use birth control that you can
trust during treatment and for 6 months after treatment.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes,
aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help or take interferon
alfacone-1 at bedtime.
- Feeling sleepy or tired. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or
activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
- Inability to sleep.
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Report any side effects to healthcare provider at follow-up visit.
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- If you have diabetes or hypertension then an eye exam should be done
before treatment started.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow
eyes/skin, not hungry.
- Any signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness,
emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in
life.
- Any signs or symptoms of infection. This may include a fever greater
than 99 degrees, chills, sore throat, cough, increased sputum or change in
color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, anal itching or
pain.
- Any rash.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in refrigerator. Do not freeze.
- Bring up to room temperature before giving
shot.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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