Peginterferon alfa-2b (Subcutaneous)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 3, 2022.
May cause or aggravate fatal or life-threatening neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic, and infectious disorders. Monitor closely and withdraw therapy with persistently severe or worsening signs or symptoms of these disorders .
Subcutaneous route(Powder for Solution)The risk of serious depression, with suicidal ideation and completed suicides, and other serious neuropsychiatric disorders are increased with alpha interferons, including peginterferon alfa-2b. Permanently discontinue peginterferon alfa-2b in patients with persistently severe or worsening signs or symptoms of depression, psychosis, or encephalopathy. These disorders may not resolve after stopping peginterferon alfa-2b .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- PEG-Intron
- Peg Intron RP
- Sylatron
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Pharmacologic Class: Interferon, Alfa (class)
Uses for peginterferon alfa-2b
Peginterferon alfa-2b injection is a synthetic (man-made) version of substances normally produced in the body to fight infection. Peginterferon alfa-2b injection is used alone or together with ribavirin and another drug called a hepatitic C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitor (eg, boceprevir or telaprevir) to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. It is used for patients who have never been treated by alpha interferons. The combination treatment of peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin is used to treat adults and children 3 years of age and older who show symptoms of liver damage.
Peginterferon alfa-2b injection is also used to prevent malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer) from coming back after it has been removed by surgery. Peginterferon alfa-2b should be started within 84 days of surgery to remove lymph nodes containing cancer.
Peginterferon alfa-2b is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using peginterferon alfa-2b
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For peginterferon alfa-2b, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to peginterferon alfa-2b or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Pegintron® in children younger than 3 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Sylatron™ in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of peginterferon alfa-2b injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are likely to be more sensitive to the effects of peginterferon alfa-2b, and are more likely to have a
