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Interferon alfacon-1 is a protein. Interferons are released in the body in response to viral infections. Interferons are important for fighting viruses in the body, regulating reproduction of cells, and regulating the immune system. Interferon alfacon-1 is used to treat chronic hepatitis C. Interferon alfacon-1 may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you develop symptoms of depression or are contemplating suicide; become unusually irritable, anxious (nervous), or aggressive; or experience other mood or behavior changes. In some cases, interferon alfacon-1 has caused serious mood or behavioral problems. Problems with body organs such as the heart, lungs, and eyes have been experienced by people taking interferon alfacon-1 or other similar drugs. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop difficulty breathing, chest pain, blurred vision, or loss of vision. Some patients taking interferon alfacon-1 have developed a drop in the number of white blood cells and platelets. If the number of these blood cells are too low, there is an increased risk of infection or bleeding. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a fever, symptoms of an infection, or unusual bleeding or bruising. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Interferon alfacon-1 may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired alertness. If you experience drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired alertness, avoid these activities.
Do not use interferon alfacon-1 without first talking to your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to an alfa interferon in the past or if you are allergic to E. coli derived products. Before using interferon alfacon-1, tell your doctor if you a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, drug or alcohol abuse, or another mental illness; an active infection; heart disease or history of a heart attack; an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or psoriasis; have a suppressed immune system or have received an organ transplant, have diabetes, have an eye disease, have thyroid disease, have bone marrow suppression, or - have liver disease.
You may not be able to use interferon alfacon-1, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Interferon alfacon-1 is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether interferon alfacon-1 will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether interferon alfacon-1 passes into breast milk. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Use interferon alfacon-1 exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you. Interferon alfacon-1 is used as a subcutaneous injection only. Your doctor or nurse will give you detailed instructions on how and where to inject this medication. Do not inject this medication if you are unsure how. The interferon alfacon-1 solution may be allowed to reach room temperature just prior to administering a dose. At least 48 hours should lapse between doses of interferon alfacon-1, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily to ensure adequate hydration, especially at the start of therapy. Flulike symptoms are likely to occur. They are most common at the start of therapy and may decrease with continued use. Over-the-counter fever reducers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), and naproxen (Aleve), plenty of fluid, and taking the medication at bedtime may help to alleviate these symptoms. Do not inject interferon alfacon-1 if it is discolored or has particles in it. Do not change the brand or generic formulation of interferon alfacon-1that you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Some brands of interferon alfacon-1 are interchangeable while others are not. Your doctor and/or pharmacist know which brand/generic formulations may be substituted for one another. Do not shake the vials of interferon alfacon-1. If mixing is required, the vial should be gently swirled. If the interferon alfacon-1 you are using is preservative-free, use only one dose from each vial. Throw away any medicine that is not used with the first dose, do not save it for later use. Never reuse a needle or syringe. Dispose of all needles and syringes in an appropriate, puncture-resistant disposal container. Your doctor may want you to have blood tests performed before and periodically during treatment with interferon alfacon-1. It is not known whether treatment with interferon alfacon-1 will prevent the transmission of hepatitis to others. It is also not known whether interferon alfacon-1 will cure hepatitis or prevent cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer that may be the result of infection with a hepatitis virus. Do not stop using this medication without first talking to your doctor. Store interferon alfacon-1 in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius). Do not allow interferon alfacon-1 to freeze.
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and use only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use a double dose of this medication. At least 48 hours should lapse between doses of interferon alfacon-1, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of interferon alfacon-1 overdose are not well known but might include decreased appetite, chills, fever, and muscle aches.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Interferon alfacon-1 may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired alertness. If you experience drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired alertness, avoid these activities.
Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you develop symptoms of depression or are contemplating suicide; become unusually irritable, anxious (nervous), or aggressive; or experience other mood or behavior changes. In some cases, interferon alfacon-1 has caused serious mood or behavioral problems. Problems with body organs such as the heart, lungs, and eyes have been experienced by people taking interferon alfacon-1 or other similar drugs. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop difficulty breathing, chest pain, blurred vision, or loss of vision. Some patients taking interferon alfacon-1 have developed a drop in the number of white blood cells and platelets. If the number of these blood cells are too low, there is an increased risk of infection or bleeding. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a fever, symptoms of an infection, or unusual bleeding or bruising. If you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop using interferon alfacon-1 and seek emergency medical attention.Flu-like symptoms are likely to occur. They are most common at the start of therapy and may decrease with continued use. Over-the-counter fever reducers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), and naproxen (Aleve), plenty of fluids, and taking the medication at bedtime may help to alleviate these symptoms. Continue to use interferon alfacon-1 and notify your doctor if you experience fever or chills; fatigue; headache; muscle aches or sore joints; numbness or tingling; nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite; heartburn; abdominal pain, diarrhea; dizziness or drowsiness; nervousness or anxiety; insomnia; loss or thinning of hair; increased sweating; itching or a rash; or pain, redness, or bruising at the injection site.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other medications may interact with interferon alfacon-1. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
- Your pharmacist has additional information about interferon alfacon-1 written for health professionals that you may read.
- 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 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.04. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:42:58 PM.;
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