About peginterfe ron alfa a
Pegylated interferon alfa-2a
Used for
- Chronic hepatitis B in selected patients
- Chronic hepatitis C, usually with other antiviral medicines
Usual adult dose
Usually injected under the skin once weekly; dose and duration depend on condition and treatment plan.
Usual dose in children
For selected children with chronic hepatitis C, weekly dosing is based on body size and specialist guidance.
Common side effects
- Flu-like symptoms, fatigue, headache
- Low blood cell counts
- Mood changes, including depression
- Nausea, appetite loss, or injection-site reactions
Important warnings
- Can cause serious depression, suicidal thoughts, or other psychiatric effects.
- May worsen autoimmune, heart, liver, or eye conditions.
- Can reduce blood counts and increase infection or bleeding risk.
- Hepatitis C treatment combinations can cause severe birth defects.
Pregnancy
Avoid during pregnancy, especially with ribavirin-containing treatment; ribavirin can cause severe birth defects.
Breastfeeding
It is unknown whether peginterferon alfa-2a passes into breast milk; discuss risks with a clinician.
Interactions
- Ribavirin increases pregnancy-related risks and requires strict precautions.
- May increase theophylline levels.
- May interact with medicines affecting blood cell counts or immune function.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.