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Peginterferon Alfa 2b Brand Names- PegIntron | SYLATRON
What is Peginterferon Alfa 2b
Peginterferon alfa 2b is a covalent conjugate of recombinant interferon alfa-2b with monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (PEG).
It is indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infections and for the adjuvant treatment of melanoma with microscopic or gross nodal involvement within 84 days of definitive surgical resection including complete lymphadenectomy.
Interferon alfa 2b represents one specific subtype of alpha interferon (i.e., interferon alpha-2). It differs from interferon alfa 2a by only one amino acid at position 23. ‘Pegylated’ interferon alfa 2b results in a molecule with a longer half-life than traditional interferon alfa 2b.
The longer duration of action prevents viral replication between doses. Peginterferon alfa 2b has significantly higher sustained virologic response rates than interferon alfa-2b.
Peginterferon alfa 2b and regular interferon alfa 2b cause similar adverse reactions; however, peginterferon is more likely to result in mild bone marrow depression.
Use of peginterferon alfa 2b with ribavirin or with ribavirin and a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) is recommended for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C; the treatment goal is the attainment of a sustained virologic response, which is defined as the achievement of undetectable HCV RNA at the end of treatment and 24 weeks later.
Indications
- adenovirus
- encephalomyocarditis virus
- hepatitis B infection
- hepatitis B virus
- hepatitis C infection
- hepatitis C virus
- hepatitis D virus
- herpes simplex virus type 1
- herpes simplex virus type 2
- human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- human papillomavirus (HPV)
- human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)
- malignant melanoma
- poliovirus
- rhinovirus
- varicella-zoster virus
- variola virus (smallpox)
- vesicular stomatitis virus
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- agitation
- alopecia
- anaphylactic shock
- anaphylactoid reactions
- anemia
- angina
- angioedema
- anorexia
- antibody formation
- anxiety
- aplastic anemia
- arthralgia
- asthenia
- autoimmune disease
- blurred vision
- bronchiolitis obliterans
- bundle-branch block
- cardiomyopathy
- chest pain (unspecified)
- chills
- colitis
- coma
- confusion
- conjunctivitis
- constipation
- cough
- cranial nerve palsies
- dehydration
- depression
- diabetes mellitus
- diabetic ketoacidosis
- diaphoresis
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dysgeusia
- dyspepsia
- dyspnea
- elevated hepatic enzymes
- emotional lability
- encephalopathy
- erythema multiforme
- exfoliative dermatitis
- fatigue
- fever
- flushing
- GI bleeding
- growth inhibition
- hallucinations
- headache
- hearing loss
- hepatic failure
- hepatitis
- hepatomegaly
- hyperbilirubinemia
- hyperglycemia
- hypertension
- hyperthyroidism
- hypertriglyceridemia
- hypotension
- hypothyroidism
- impaired cognition
- infection
- injection site reaction
- insomnia
- interstitial nephritis
- irritability
- leukopenia
- lupus-like symptoms
- macular edema
- malaise
- mania
- memory impairment
- menstrual irregularity
- migraine
- musculoskeletal pain
- myalgia
- myocardial infarction
- nausea
- neutropenia
- optic neuritis
- palpitations
- pancreatitis
- papilledema
- paresthesias
- pericardial effusion
- pericarditis
- peripheral neuropathy
- pharyngitis
- photosensitivity
- pleural effusion
- pneumonitis
- proteinuria
- pruritus
- psoriasis
- psychosis
- pulmonary fibrosis
- pulmonary hypertension
- rash
- red cell aplasia
- renal failure (unspecified)
- retinal detachment
- retinal hemorrhage
- retinal thrombosis
- retinopathy
- rhabdomyolysis
- rhinitis
- seizures
- sinus tachycardia
- sinusitis
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- stomatitis
- stroke
- suicidal ideation
- supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
- thrombocytopenia
- thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
- tongue discoloration
- toxic epidermal necrolysis
- urticaria
- vasculitis
- ventricular tachycardia
- vertigo
- visual impairment
- vomiting
- weight loss
- xerosis
- xerostomia
Monitoring Parameters
- CBC with differential
- chest x-ray
- ECG
- hemoglobin/hematocrit
- LFTs
- ophthalmologic exam
- plasma hepatitis C RNA
- pregnancy testing
- serum bilirubin
- serum uric acid
- thyroid function tests (TFTs)
Contraindications
- alcoholism
- anemia
- angina
- aplastic anemia
- autoimmune disease
- bipolar disorder
- bleeding
- bone marrow suppression
- breast-feeding
- cardiac arrhythmias
- cardiac disease
- cardiomyopathy
- cerebrovascular disease
- children
- colitis
- contraception requirements
- coronary artery disease
- dental disease
- dental work
- depression
- diabetes mellitus
- diabetic retinopathy
- dialysis
- driving or operating machinery
- E. coli protein hypersensitivity
- encephalopathy
- ethanol ingestion
- geriatric
- Graves’ disease
- growth inhibition
- hepatic decompensation
- hepatic disease
- hepatitis
- hepatitis B exacerbation
- hepatitis C and HIV coinfection
- human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
- hyperglycemia
- hypertension
- hyperthyroidism
- hypertriglyceridemia
- hypoglycemia
- hypothyroidism
- immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- infants
- infection
- infertility
- ischemic colitis
- jaundice
- mania
- myocardial infarction
- neonates
- neurologic events
- neutropenia
- ocular disease
- optic neuritis
- organ transplant
- pancreatitis
- papilledema
- peripheral neuropathy
- pneumonitis
- pregnancy
- pregnancy testing
- psoriasis
- psychiatric event
- psychosis
- pulmonary disease
- pulmonary hypertension
- renal failure
- renal impairment
- reproductive risk
- respiratory insufficiency
- retinal bleeding
- retinal detachment
- rheumatoid arthritis
- sarcoidosis
- seizure disorder
- seizures
- serious hypersensitivity reactions or anaphylaxis
- serious rash
- sickle cell disease
- stroke
- substance abuse
- suicidal ideation
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- thalassemia
- thrombocytopenia
- thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
- thyroid disease
- ulcerative colitis
- use with ribavirin
- vaccination
- visual disturbance
Interactions
- Abacavir
- Abacavir; Dolutegravir; Lamivudine
- Abacavir; Lamivudine, 3TC
- Abacavir; Lamivudine, 3TC; Zidovudine, ZDV
- Acetaminophen; Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine
- Acetaminophen; Butalbital; Caffeine
- Acetaminophen; Butalbital; Caffeine; Codeine
- Acetaminophen; Caffeine
- Acetaminophen; Caffeine; Dihydrocodeine
- Acetaminophen; Caffeine; Magnesium Salicylate; Phenyltoloxamine
- Acetaminophen; Caffeine; Phenyltoloxamine; Salicylamide
- Acetaminophen; Chlorpheniramine; Dextromethorphan; Phenylephrine
- Acetaminophen; Chlorpheniramine; Dextromethorphan; Pseudoephedrine
- Acetaminophen; Chlorpheniramine; Phenylephrine; Phenyltoloxamine
- Acetaminophen; Codeine
- Acetaminophen; Dextromethorphan
- Acetaminophen; Dextromethorphan; Doxylamine
- Acetaminophen; Dextromethorphan; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
- Acetaminophen; Dextromethorphan; Phenylephrine
- Acetaminophen; Dextromethorphan; Pseudoephedrine
- Acetaminophen; Diphenhydramine
- Acetaminophen; Hydrocodone
- Acetaminophen; Oxycodone
- Acetaminophen; Propoxyphene
- Acetaminophen; Tramadol
- Aldesleukin, IL-2
- Alemtuzumab
- Alosetron
- Alteplase
- Altretamine
- Amitriptyline
- Amitriptyline; Chlordiazepoxide
- Amprenavir
- Anagrelide
- Antithymocyte Globulin
- Antitumor antibiotics
- Aripiprazole
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Aspirin, ASA; Butalbital; Caffeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Butalbital; Caffeine; Codeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine; Dihydrocodeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine; Orphenadrine
- Aspirin, ASA; Carisoprodol; Codeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Oxycodone
- Atazanavir
- Atazanavir; Cobicistat
- Atomoxetine
- Azathioprine
- Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Vaccine, BCG
- Basiliximab
- Bendamustine
- Bictegravir; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Alafenamide
- Brexpiprazole
- Brimonidine; Timolol
- Brompheniramine; Dextromethorphan; Guaifenesin
- Brompheniramine; Dextromethorphan; Phenylephrine
- Brompheniramine; Guaifenesin; Hydrocodone
- Brompheniramine; Hydrocodone; Pseudoephedrine
- Bupivacaine; Lidocaine
- Caffeine
- Caffeine; Ergotamine
- Carbetapentane; Chlorpheniramine
- Carbetapentane; Chlorpheniramine; Phenylephrine
- Carbetapentane; Diphenhydramine; Phenylephrine
- Carbinoxamine; Dextromethorphan; Pseudoephedrine
- Carbinoxamine; Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
- Carbinoxamine; Hydrocodone; Pseudoephedrine
- Carvedilol
- Cevimeline
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpheniramine
- Chlorpheniramine; Codeine
- Chlorpheniramine; Dextromethorphan
- Chlorpheniramine; Dextromethorphan; Phenylephrine
- Chlorpheniramine; Dihydrocodeine; Phenylephrine
- Chlorpheniramine; Dihydrocodeine; Pseudoephedrine
- Chlorpheniramine; Guaifenesin; Hydrocodone; Pseudoephedrine
- Chlorpheniramine; Hydrocodone
- Chlorpheniramine; Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
- Chlorpheniramine; Hydrocodone; Pseudoephedrine
- Chlorpheniramine; Phenylephrine
- Chlorpheniramine; Pseudoephedrine
- Chlorpromazine
- Cinacalcet
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Codeine; Guaifenesin
- Codeine; Phenylephrine; Promethazine
- Codeine; Promethazine
- Cyclosporine
- Darifenacin
- Darunavir
- Darunavir; Cobicistat
- Darunavir; Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir alafenamide
- Dasabuvir; Ombitasvir; Paritaprevir; Ritonavir
- Delavirdine
- Desipramine
- Dexchlorpheniramine; Dextromethorphan; Pseudoephedrine
- Dextromethorphan
- Dextromethorphan; Diphenhydramine; Phenylephrine
- Dextromethorphan; Guaifenesin
- Dextromethorphan; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
- Dextromethorphan; Guaifenesin; Potassium Guaiacolsulfonate
- Dextromethorphan; Guaifenesin; Pseudoephedrine
- Dextromethorphan; Promethazine
- Dextromethorphan; Quinidine
- Dihydrocodeine; Guaifenesin; Pseudoephedrine
- Diphenhydramine
- Diphenhydramine; Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
- Diphenhydramine; Ibuprofen
- Diphenhydramine; Naproxen
- Diphenhydramine; Phenylephrine
- Dolasetron
- Dolutegravir; Lamivudine
- Dolutegravir; Rilpivirine
- Doravirine; Lamivudine; Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- Dorzolamide; Timolol
- Doxepin
- Doxorubicin
- Duloxetine
- Dutasteride; Tamsulosin
- Efalizumab
- Efavirenz
- Efavirenz; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir
- Efavirenz; Lamivudine; Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
- Eliglustat
- Elvitegravir; Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Alafenamide
- Elvitegravir; Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
- Emtricitabine
- Emtricitabine; Rilpivirine; Tenofovir alafenamide
- Emtricitabine; Rilpivirine; Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- Emtricitabine; Tenofovir alafenamide
- Emtricitabine; Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- Encainide
- Entecavir
- Estramustine
- Ethanol
- Filgrastim, G-CSF
- Flecainide
- Fluoxetine
- Fluoxetine; Olanzapine
- Fluphenazine
- Flutamide
- Fluticasone; Umeclidinium; Vilanterol
- Fluvoxamine
- Folate analogs
- Fosamprenavir
- Guaifenesin; Hydrocodone
- Guaifenesin; Hydrocodone; Pseudoephedrine
- Haloperidol
- Homatropine; Hydrocodone
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Propranolol
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Triamterene
- Hydrocodone
- Hydrocodone; Ibuprofen
- Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
- Hydrocodone; Potassium Guaiacolsulfonate
- Hydrocodone; Potassium Guaiacolsulfonate; Pseudoephedrine
- Hydrocodone; Pseudoephedrine
- Hydroxyurea
- Ibritumomab Tiuxetan
- Ibuprofen; Oxycodone
- Iloperidone
- Imatinib
- Imipramine
- Indinavir
- Influenza Virus Vaccine
- Intranasal Influenza Vaccine
- Lamivudine, 3TC
- Lamivudine, 3TC; Zidovudine, ZDV
- Lamivudine; Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
- Lidocaine
- Lidocaine; Prilocaine
- Live Vaccines
- Lomustine, CCNU
- Lopinavir; Ritonavir
- Maprotiline
- Measles Virus; Mumps Virus; Rubella Virus; Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella Vaccines, MMR
- Meclizine
- Melatonin
- Melphalan
- Meperidine; Promethazine
- Methadone
- Methamphetamine
- Methotrexate
- Methoxsalen
- Metoclopramide
- Mexiletine
- Mirtazapine
- Mitoxantrone
- Natural Antineoplastics
- Nelfinavir
- Netupitant, Fosnetupitant; Palonosetron
- Nevirapine
- Nortriptyline
- Olanzapine
- Ombitasvir; Paritaprevir; Ritonavir
- Oxycodone
- Palonosetron
- Paroxetine
- Pegfilgrastim
- Pemetrexed
- Pentamidine
- Perphenazine
- Perphenazine; Amitriptyline
- Pexidartinib
- Phenylephrine; Promethazine
- Pirfenidone
- Pralatrexate
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Propoxyphene
- Propranolol
- Protease inhibitors
- Protriptyline
- Purine analogs
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Rasagiline
- Reteplase, r-PA
- Rilpivirine
- Riluzole
- Ritonavir
- Ropinirole
- Ropivacaine
- Rotavirus Vaccine
- Rubella Virus Vaccine Live
- Saquinavir
- Sertraline
- Smallpox and Monkeypox Vaccine, Live, Nonreplicating
- Smallpox Vaccine, Vaccinia Vaccine
- Stavudine, d4T
- Streptokinase
- Tamsulosin
- Tbo-Filgrastim
- Telbivudine
- Tenecteplase
- Terbinafine
- Tetrabenazine
- Theophylline, Aminophylline
- Thioridazine
- Thrombolytic Agents
- Timolol
- Tipranavir
- Tizanidine
- Tolterodine
- Tositumomab
- Tramadol
- Tretinoin, ATRA
- Triamterene
- Trimipramine
- Typhoid Vaccine
- Umeclidinium
- Umeclidinium; Vilanterol
- Urokinase
- Varicella-Zoster Virus Vaccine, Live
- Venlafaxine
- Vigabatrin
- Warfarin
- Yellow Fever Vaccine, Live
- Yohimbine
- Zalcitabine, ddC
- Zidovudine, ZDV
- Zileuton
- Zolmitriptan