interferon alfacon-1
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What is interferon alfacon-1?
Interferon alfacon-1 is made from human proteins. Interferons help the body fight viral infections.
Interferon alfacon-1 is used to treat chronic hepatitis C.
Interferon alfacon-1 may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about interferon alfacon-1?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to interferons, if you are pregnant, or if you have autoimmune hepatitis or severe liver problems from causes other than hepatitis C.
Before using interferon alfacon-1, tell your doctor if you have other liver problems (including hepatitis B), kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, bone marrow suppression, HIV or AIDS, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, a thyroid disorder, sleep problems, a breathing disorder, heart problems, high blood pressure, an autoimmune disorder, a history of heart attack or stroke, or a history of depression, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, or drug or alcohol addiction.
Tell your doctor if you use any medications that weaken your immune system, such as cancer medicine, steroids, medicines to treat autoimmune disorders, or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.
Interferon alfacon-1 can cause serious side effects, some of which may be life-threatening. However, the benefits of treating your condition may outweigh any risks posed by using interferon alfacon-1. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
Stop using interferon alfacon-1 and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as severe depression, behavior changes, thoughts of hurting yourself, fast or pounding heartbeats, signs of infection (fever, chills, flu symptoms), pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, cough with yellow or green mucus, feeling short of breath, chest pain, sudden numbness or weakness, severe stomach pain, increased thirst, urinating more or less than usual, or worsening liver symptoms.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested before you start using interferon alfacon-1, and then on a regular basis during treatment. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using interferon alfacon-1?
Interferon alfacon-1 can cause serious side effects, some of which may be life-threatening. However, the benefits of treating your condition may outweigh any risks posed by using interferon alfacon-1. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to interferons, if you are pregnant, or if you have:
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use interferon alfacon-1:
- hepatitis B or liver problems other than hepatitis C
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- cancer
- bone marrow suppression
- HIV or AIDS
- a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
- a thyroid disorder
- problems with your sleep
- a breathing disorder
- a history of depression, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, or drug or alcohol addiction
- heart disease, high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, or history of a heart attack or stroke
- an autoimmune disorder such as psoriasis, arthritis, or lupus
- colitis or other intestinal disorder; or
- if you use any medications that weaken your immune system.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether interferon alfacon-1 is harmful to an unborn baby. However, you should not use this medication if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether interferon alfacon-1 passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use interferon alfacon-1?
Interferon alfacon-1 is given as an injection under the skin. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Interferon alfacon-1 injections are usually given 3 times each week. Give the injection at the same time of day each time you use interferon alfacon-1.
Use a different place on your upper arms, stomach, or thighs each time you give yourself an injection. Your care provider will show you the places on your body where you can safely inject the medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
Do not shake the medication vial (bottle). Vigorous shaking can ruin the medicine. Do not draw your interferon alfacon-1 dose into a syringe until you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors, looks cloudy, or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
The single-dose vial of interferon alfacon-1 is for one use only. Throw the vial away after measuring your dose, even if there is still some medicine in it. Do not save it for later use.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Do not change brands or generic forms of this medication without your doctor's advice. Not all brands, forms, and strengths of interferons are used to treat the same medical conditions. Always check your refills to make sure you have received the correct brand and type of medicine prescribed by your doctor. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the medicine you receive at the pharmacy.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested before you start using interferon alfacon-1, and then on a regular basis during treatment. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.
Store interferon alfacon-1 in the refrigerator. Do not freeze or expose the medication to direct sunlight. Do not use the medication if it has become frozen or if it is past the expiration date on the medicine label.
To reduce or prevent certain side effects, your doctor may recommend you take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) at the time of your interferon alfacon-1 injection. Follow your doctor's instructions about the correct dose.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then call your doctor to ask when you should use your next dose. Do not go back to your regular dosing schedule without talking to your doctor. Do notuse extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include fever, chills, loss of appetite, and muscle pain.
What should I avoid while using interferon alfacon-1?
Avoid drinking alcohol if you are also taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) while using interferon alfacon-1.
What are the possible side effects of interferon alfacon-1?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using interferon alfacon-1 and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- severe depression, aggressive behavior, or thoughts of hurting yourself
- fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
- cough with yellow or green mucus, feeling short of breath;
- chest pain, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
- sudden numbness or weakness, headache, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance
- black, bloody, or tarry stools
- urinating less than usual or not at all
- fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats
- vision or hearing problems
- pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate);
- high blood sugar (increased thirst, fruity breath odor, increased urination, drowsiness, dry skin, nausea, and vomiting); or
- worsening liver symptoms such as severe stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
- dizziness
- mild headache, tired feeling, sleep problems (insomnia)
- joint or muscle pain, back pain
- mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach
- temporary hair loss
- mild itching or skin rash; or
- redness, pain, bruising, or skin changes where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect interferon alfacon-1?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially drugs that weaken your immune system, such as:
- cancer medicine
- steroids such as prednisone, dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) fluticasone (Flonase, Advair), mometasone (Asmanex, Nasonex), and others
- medicines to treat autoimmune disorders such as arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease; or
- medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with interferon alfacon-1. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about interferon alfacon-1.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with other, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 09/15/2009.
