peginterferon beta-1a

Contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity to natural or recombinant interferon beta or peginterferon.

Use Cautiously in:

History of depression or suicidal ideation;
Latex allergy;
History of seizures;
Renal impairment (risk of adverse reactions may be ↑);
OB: Use during pregnancy only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential fetal risk;
Lactation: Use while breastfeeding only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential risk to infant;
Pedi: Safety and effectiveness not established in children;
Geri: Safety and effectiveness not established in older adults.

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

CV: HF

Derm: pruritus

GI: HEPATOTOXICITY, nausea, vomiting

Hemat: ↓peripheral blood counts, HEMOLYTIC UREMIC SYNDROME, THROMBOTIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA

Local: injection site reactions

MS: arthralgia, myalgia

Neuro: depression, headache, SEIZURES, SUICIDAL IDEATION, weakness

Resp: PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION (PAH)

Misc: chills, fever, flu-like symptoms, AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS, HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS (INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS)

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-drug:

↑myelosuppression may occur with other myelosuppressives including antineoplastics.
Concurrent use of hepatotoxic agents may ↑ the risk of hepatotoxicity (↑ liver enzymes).

Drug-Natural Products:

Avoid concomitant use with immunomodulating natural products such as astragalus, echinacea, and melatonin.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Solution for injection (prefilled pens and prefilled syringes): 63 mcg/0.5 mL; 94 mcg/0.5 mL; 125 mcg/0.5 mL

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

IM SC (Adults ): 63 mcg on Day 1, then 94 mcg on Day 15, then 125 mcg every 14 days.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Action ⬆ ⬇

Antiviral and immunoregulatory properties produced by interacting with specific receptor sites on cell surfaces may explain beneficial effects. Produced by recombinant DNA technology. Pegylation prolongs duration of action.

Therapeutic effects:

Reduced incidence of relapse (neurologic dysfunction) and slowed physical disability.

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Classification: immune modifiers

Pharmacologic Classification: interferons

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Extent of absorption following SUBQ or IM administration unknown.

Distribution: Widely distributed to tissues.

Metabolism/Excretion: Undergoes catabolism; excretion is mainly renal.

Half-Life: 78 hr.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

(reduction in relapse rate)

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
SUBQ	within one mo	24–36 wk	unknown
IM	unknown	unknown	unknown

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Instruct patient in correct technique for injection and care and disposal of equipment. Avoid injecting into areas of skin irritation, redness, bruising, infection, or scarring. Check injection site 2 hr after injection for redness, swelling, and tenderness. Notify health care professional if skin reaction does not clear in a few days. Caution patient not to reuse needles or syringes and provide patient with a puncture-resistant container for disposal.
Instruct patient to take medication as directed; do not change dose or schedule without consulting health care professional. Advise patient to read Medication Guide prior to starting therapy and with each Rx refill in case of changes.
Inform patient that flu-like symptoms (headache, fever, chills, myalgia, sweating, malaise, tiredness) may occur during therapy. Acetaminophen may be used for relief of fever and myalgias. Flu-like symptoms are not contagious.
Advise patient to notify health care professional immediately if signs and symptoms of liver disease (yellowing of skin or whites of eyes, nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, bleeding easily, confusion, sleepiness, dark-colored urine, pale stools), depression, suicidal thoughts, seizures, allergic reactions (itching; swelling of face, eyes, lips, tongue, throat; trouble breathing; feeling faint; anxiousness; rash; hives) or autoimmune diseases (easy bleeding or bruising, thyroid gland problems, autoimmune hepatitis) occur.
Instruct patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult with health care professional before taking other medications.
Rep: Advise females of reproductive potential to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.

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Indications ⬇

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇