Peginterferon Alfa-2a

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Pegasys; Pegasys ProClick [DSC]

Brand Names: Canada

Pegasys

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat hepatitis B and C infections.
• This drug may be used with other drugs to treat your child’s health condition. If your child is also taking other drugs, talk with your child’s doctor about the risks and side effects that may happen.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
• If your child has any of these health problems: Autoimmune hepatitis, heart disease, or liver disease.
• If your child has any of these health problems: High blood sugar (diabetes), low blood sugar, or thyroid problems.
• If your child has had an organ transplant.
• If the patient is a newborn or infant. This drug has benzyl alcohol in it. If possible, avoid products with benzyl alcohol in newborns or infants. Serious side effects can happen in these children with some doses of benzyl alcohol, including if given with other drugs that have benzyl alcohol.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
• Have your child’s blood work checked and eye exams as you have been told by your child’s doctor.
• Check your child’s blood sugar as you have been told by the doctor.
• Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
• It is not known if this drug will prevent liver failure or other liver problems like cancer. Talk with the doctor.
• Have your child drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your child’s doctor.
• This drug may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.
• This drug caused fertility problems in animals. It is not known if it will cause fertility problems in humans. Talk with the doctor.
• This drug does not stop the spread of hepatitis to others through blood, body fluids, or having sex. Be sure your child does not have any kind of sex without using a condom. Be sure needles and other injection equipment are not shared. Be sure personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them like toothbrushes or razors are not shared. Talk with your child’s doctor or other health care provider about safe sex and other ways to have your child prevent spreading hepatitis to others.
• If your child is of childbearing age, a pregnancy test will need to be done before starting this drug to make sure your child is not pregnant.

If your child is or may be sexually active:

• This drug does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through having sex. Be sure your child does not have any kind of sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom.
• This drug may cause harm to an unborn baby. Your child must use birth control while taking this drug. If your child gets pregnant, call your child’s doctor right away.

If your child is breast-feeding a baby:

• Tell the doctor if your child is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about any risks to the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of depression, suicidal thoughts, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of thyroid problems like change in weight; feeling nervous, excitable, restless, or weak; hair thinning; depression; eye or neck swelling; not able to focus; trouble with heat or cold; menstrual changes; shakiness; or sweating.
• Chest pain or pressure, a fast heartbeat, or an abnormal heartbeat.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Memory problems or loss.
• Not able to focus.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Tell your child’s doctor if your child has signs of high or low blood sugar like breath that smells like fruit, dizziness, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling confused, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, flushing, headache, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, shaking, or sweating.
• This drug may cause eye problems that may lead to loss of eyesight or blindness. Tell your child’s doctor if your child has or has ever had eye problems. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has any changes in eyesight.
• Some people have had lung problems with this drug. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has signs of lung problems like shortness of breath or other trouble breathing, cough that is new or worse, or fever.
• Severe and sometimes deadly liver problems have happened with this drug. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Severe bowel problems (colitis) have happened within 12 weeks of treatment with alpha interferons like this drug. Sometimes, this could be deadly. Call the doctor right away if your child has severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, throwing up blood, or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
• Severe and sometimes deadly pancreas problems (pancreatitis) have happened with this drug. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has severe stomach pain, severe back pain, or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
• A severe skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause severe health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if your child has signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in the mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
• Low blood cell counts have happened with this drug. If blood cell counts get very low, this can lead to bleeding problems, infections, or anemia. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or if your child feels very tired or weak.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

• Flu-like signs. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes, aches, pains, and sweating.
• Diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or decreased appetite.
• Dry mouth.
• Back, muscle, or joint pain.
• Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
• Hair loss.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Irritation where the shot is given.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All products:

• It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin on the top of the thigh or the belly area.
• The shot is most often given once a week.
• If you will be giving your child the shot, your child’s doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Do not shake.
• Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
• This drug is colorless to a faint yellow. Do not use if the solution changes color.
• Move the site where you give the shot with each shot.
• Do not give into skin near the belly button or waistline.
• Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Vials:

• Before giving the shot, warm the drug by rolling it in the palms of your hands for about 1 minute.
• Throw away any part of the opened vial not used after the shot is given.

Prefilled syringes:

• Before giving the shot, let it come to room temperature. Do not heat this drug.
• If you see foam in the solution, put the prefilled syringe back in the refrigerator to use at another time.
• Throw syringe away after use. Do not use the same syringe more than one time.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it and go back to your child’s normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• If your child misses the dose by more than 2 days, call the doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Throw away unopened drug if left at room temperature for more than 24 hours.
• Protect from light.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2024-01-03

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