PEGINTERFERON ALPHA 2A

Avoid taking PEGINTERFERON ALPHA 2A and inform your doctor if you are allergic to it or another alpha interferon medicine. Keep your doctor informed about your complete medical history to rule out any serious side effects. This medicine is contraindicated in patients with autoimmune hepatitis, severe allergic reactions, and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers (when taken in combination with ribavirin). Therefore, if you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before starting treatment with this medicine. Caution should be exercised in patients having any history of organ transplant, kidney disease, colitis, lung problems, diabetes, cancer, HIV infection, thyroid problems and increased triglyceride levels, as it may cause serious side effects. PEGINTERFERON ALPHA 2A is not recommended for children below 5 years of age as efficacy and safety have not been established. Inform your doctor about your complete medication history, especially if you are taking telbivudine, theophylline, anti-HIV medicines, methadone, and azathioprine, as the concomitant use of these medicines can cause serious side effects. It is advised not to stop taking PEGINTERFERON ALPHA 2A abruptly, as it can cause a recurrence of severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis or may also lead to cirrhosis. PEGINTERFERON ALPHA 2A may cause Neuropsychiatric events, autoimmune disorders, thyroid problems, diabetes, eye disorders, cerebrovascular disorders, exacerbation of hepatitis during hepatitis B treatment, lung disease, serious infections, bone marrow suppression, colitis and pancreatitis, severe hypersensitivity reactions, growth impairment in pediatric patients (with combination therapy), peripheral neuropathy (in combination with telbivudine), haemolytic anaemia (in combination with ribavirin), and unstable cardiac disease (in combination with ribavirin). Patients displaying these symptoms may need to stop the medication or reduce the dosage, and they should be closely watched.

Drug-Drug Interactions: PEGINTERFERON ALPHA 2A may interact with anti-hepatitis B medicine (telbivudine), anti-HIV drugs (lamivudine, stavudine, efavirenz), theophylline, azathioprine, methadone, antibiotics (vancomycin), vitamins, minerals, etc.

Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have any history of liver or kidney disease, endocrine disorders, colitis, cirrhosis, autoimmune disease, eye problems, lung problems, severe infections, and liver cancer.

Eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains such as brown rice, oats, quinoa, and barley.

Include healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, and nuts.

Drink plenty of water for better processing of food by the body.

Avoid sugary foods such as cake, cookies, packaged baked food, or soda. Also, avoid heavy salt foods.

Avoid foods containing saturated fats such as fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, sour cream, and butter. Try to eat low-fat or non-fat dairy products to minimize damage to the liver.

• Sudden withdrawal of PEGINTERFERON ALPHA 2A should be avoided as it can cause severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis or other serious side effects.
• Frequent monitoring of liver and kidney function tests are required while on treatment with PEGINTERFERON ALPHA 2A to monitor liver and kidney functions.
• Patients should be observed carefully for any changes in the liver function test even after the completion of the treatment course.