(IN ter FEER on AL fa kon 1) Brand: Infergen
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to interferons, or if you have autoimmune hepatitis, severe liver problems from causes another than hepatitis C, severe kidney malady, or a hemoglobin blood cell mess such as sickle cell anemia or thalasssemia.
• Interferon alfacon-1 is sometimes used together with other drug called ribavirin. Ribavirin can reason birth defects or death in an unborn child. If you are a woman, do not take ribavirin if you are pregnant. If you are a man, do not take ribavirin if your female sexual partner is pregnant. An unborn child could also be harmed if a man fathers the baby while he is taking ribavirin.
• Till using interferon alfacon-1, speak your doctor if you have another liver problems (including hepatitis B), kidney malady, diabetes, pancreatitis, cancer, bone marrow suppression, HIV or AIDS, a bleeding or blood clotting mess, numbness or circulation problems, a thyroid mess, problems with your eyes, a breathing mess, an intestinal mess, tall triglycerides, heart problems, tall blood pressure, an autoimmune mess, a history of organ transplant, a history of heart onslaught or stroke, or a history of depression, mental diseases, suicidal thoughts, or drug or alcohol addiction.
• Speak your doctor if you use any medications that weaken your immune system, such as cancer medication, steroids, medicines to treat autoimmune disorders, or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.
• Interferon alfacon-1 can reason serious side effects, some of which may be life-threatening. However, the benefits of treating your condition may outweigh any risks posed by using interferon alfacon-1. Conversation to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
• Interferon alfacon-1 is made from human proteins. Interferons help the body fight viral infections.
• Interferon alfacon-1 is used to treat chronic hepatitis C.
• Interferon alfacon-1 may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
• Interferon alfacon-1 can reason serious side effects, some of which may be life-threatening. However, the benefits of treating your condition may outweigh any risks posed by using interferon alfacon-1. Conversation to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
• Interferon alfacon-1 is sometimes used together with other drug called ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetol, Ribasphere). Ribavirin can reason birth defects or death in an unborn child.
· If you are a woman, do not take ribavirin if you are pregnant. You will need frequent pregnancy trials to create certain you are not pregnant while taking ribavirin.
· If you are a man, do not take ribavirin if your female sexual partner is pregnant. An unborn child could also be harmed if a man fathers the baby while he is taking ribavirin. Your sexual partner will need frequent pregnancy trials to create certain she is not pregnant while you are taking ribavirin.
· Use at least two effective forms of birth control while either sexual partner is taking ribavirin, and for at least 6 months after treatment ends.
· Speak your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is taking ribavirin.
• You must not use interferon alfacon-1 if you are allergic to interferons, or if you have:
· autoimmune hepatitis;
· severe liver problems from causes another than hepatitis C;
· severe kidney malady; or
· a hemoglobin blood cell mess such as sickle cell anemia or thalasssemia.
• To create certain you can safely use interferon alfacon-1, speak your doctor if you have any of these another conditions:
· hepatitis B or liver problems another than hepatitis C;
· kidney disease;
· diabetes, pancreatitis;
· cancer;
· bone marrow suppression;
· HIV or AIDS;
· a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
· numbness or circulation problems;
· a thyroid disorder;
· problems with your eyes;
· a breathing disorder;
· a history of depression, mental diseases, suicidal thoughts, or drug or alcohol addiction;
· heart malady, tall blood pressure, a heart rhythm mess, or history of a heart onslaught or stroke;
· tall triglycerides (a type of thick in the blood);
· an autoimmune mess such as psoriasis, arthritis, or lupus;
· colitis or another intestinal disorder;
· if you have had an organ transplant; or
· if you use any medications that weaken your immune system.
• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether interferon alfacon-1 used without ribavirin is deleterious to an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment with interfon alfacon-1.
• It is not known whether interferon alfacon-1 passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Interferon alfacon-1 is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at house. Do not self-inject this medication if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions for safety and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Interferon alfacon-1 injections are generally given 3 times every week. Give the injection at the same time of day every time you use interferon alfacon-1.
• Use a various seat on your upper arms, stomach, or thighs every time you give yourself an injection. Your care provider will show you the places on your body where you can safely inject the medicine. Do not inject into the same seat two times in a row.
• Do not shake the medicine bottle or you may ruin the medication. Prepare your doze in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medicine if it has changed colors, looks cloudy, or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
• Every single use vial (bottle) of this medication is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medication left in it after injecting your dose.
• Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Hold this container out of the reach of children and pets.
• To be certain this medicine is not causing deleterious effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
• Store interferon alfacon-1in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Protect from easy. Do not use the medicine if it has become frozen or if it is past the expiration date on the medication label.
• Use the missed doze as soon as you remember, and then call your doctor to ask when you must use your following doze. Do not go back to your regular dosing schedule without talking to your doctor. Do not use extra medication to create up the missed dose.
• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using interferon alfacon-1 and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
· severe depression, aggressive behavior, or thoughts of hurting yourself;
· fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;
· light bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum);
· feeling like you might pass out;
· quick, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
· heighten urination, pain or burning when you urinate;
· bloody diarrhea;
· cough with yellow or green mucus, feeling short of breath;
· chest pain, pain spreading to the hand or shoulder, nausea, sweating, common ill feeling;
· sudden numbness or weakness, headache, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance;
· worsening liver symptoms such as severe stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
· pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, quick heart rate);
· thyroid problems (trouble concentrating, feeling too hot or cool, weight changes); or
· tall blood sugar (increased thirst, fruity breath odor, heighten urination, drowsiness, dry skin, nausea, and vomiting).
• Smaller serious side effects may include:
· mood changes, feeling irritable, nervous, or anxious;
· mild headache, weary feeling;
· numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet;
· joint or muscle pain, back pain;
· mild stomach pain or nausea, diarrhea; or
· weight loss or thinning hair.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• Speak your doctor about all another medications you use, especially drugs that weaken your immune system, such as:
· cancer medicine;
· steroids such as prednisone, dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) fluticasone (Flonase, Advair), mometasone (Asmanex, Nasonex), and others;
· medicines to treat autoimmune disorders such as arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's malady; or
· medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection.
• This list is not complete and another drugs may interact with interferon alfacon-1. Speak your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.
• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about interferon alfacon-1.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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