Peginterferon Alpha 2a
About Peginterferon Alpha 2a
Peginterferon Alpha 2a is an antiviral medicine used to treat viral infections. Peginterferon Alpha 2a is used in the treatment of chronic Hepatitis B infection in patients with compensation liver disease and evidence of viral replication. It is also used along with other medicines in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection in patients with compensation liver disease, cirrhosis, coinfection of HIV, and CD4 count > 100 cells/mm.
Peginterferon Alpha 2a contains Peginterferon alpha 2A, which belongs to the class of antiviral drugs. It works by blocking the activity of the virus DNA Polymerase enzyme in the liver cells.
Peginterferon Alpha 2a may cause certain side effects such as headache, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, decreased appetite, irritability, and injection site reactions. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. It is a parenteral formulation and will be administered by a healthcare professional.
Peginterferon Alpha 2a is contraindicated in patients with autoimmune hepatitis, severe allergic reactions to another alpha interferon medicine, and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers (when taken in combination with ribavirin. Before receiving Peginterferon Alpha 2a, inform your doctor if you have any history of organ transplant, kidney disease, colitis, lung problems, diabetes, cancer, HIV infection, thyroid problems and increased triglyceride levels. Careful monitoring should be done for the patient during and after the treatment. Peginterferon Alpha 2a is not recommended for children below 5 years of age as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Uses of Peginterferon Alpha 2a
Medicinal Benefits
Peginterferon Alpha 2a contains Peginterferon alpha 2A, which is used in the treatment of hepatitis B and C infection. It works by blocking the activity of the hepatitis B and C virus DNA Polymerase enzyme in the liver cells, which is essential for the virus to grow. This causes DNA termination and, therefore, reduces the amount of virus in the body.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Peginterferon Alpha 2a
- Headache
- Abdominal Pain
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Fatigue
- Anorexia
- Myalgia
- Fever
- Injection site reactions
- Pain at the site of injection
Drug Warnings
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 Interactions
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.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAlcohol intake might increase the risk of side effects. Hence, avoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Peginterferon Alpha 2a.
Pregnancy
unsafePeginterferon Alpha 2a is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Peginterferon Alpha 2a.
Breast Feeding
unsafePeginterferon Alpha 2a should not be taken if you are breastfeeding, as it passes into breast milk and may harm your infant. Avoid nursing your child while on treatment with this medicine.
Driving
not applicable-
Liver
cautionPeginterferon Alpha 2a is contraindicated in patients with autoimmune hepatitis and other liver problems. Hence, inform your doctor if you have any history of liver-related problems before receiving Peginterferon Alpha 2a. If administered, observe the patient for any symptoms such as yellowing of eyes, dark colour urine, nausea, etc.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before receiving Peginterferon Alpha 2a. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
cautionPeginterferon Alpha 2a is not recommended for use in children below 5 years of age as efficacy and safety have not been established. In, children above 6 years of age, used in the treatment of hepatitis C infection.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
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.
Special Advise
- 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.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hepatitis B Virus Infection: It is a serious contagious infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus affecting the liver. It can be an acute (an infected person may be sick for only a few days) or chronic infection (it develops slowly but progresses to a serious lifelong infection). This infection spreads from person to person through blood contact (being pricked with a contaminated needle, using a razor), intimate contact with the infected person, direct contact with infected blood, or contact with any other personal items with leftovers of infected fluid or even from mother to baby during birth. Peginterferon Alpha 2a is used to treat HBV infection.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection: It is a contagious infection caused by the hepatitis C virus affecting the liver. This infection spreads from person to person through blood contact (being pricked with a contaminated needle or using a razor), intimate contact with the infected person, direct contact with infected blood, or contact with any other personal items with leftovers of infected fluid or even from mother to baby during birth. The symptoms may not appear immediately. Some may take between 2 to 12 weeks to appear. Few people may have mild to moderate symptoms such as dark urine, loss of appetite, fever, joint pain, or stomach discomfort. The complications of untreated chronic hepatitis C include liver cancer or liver cirrhosis (scarring).
FAQs
Peginterferon Alpha 2a contains Peginterferon alpha 2A, which works by blocking the activity of the virus DNA Polymerase enzyme in the liver cells and thus causes DNA termination.
Stopping treatment with Peginterferon Alpha 2a may worsen the infection condition. Close monitoring is necessary even after completion of the treatment course. Consult your doctor if you have concerns.
