Information about Peginterferon

Peginterferon is a shortened word for pegylated interferon, which is interferon that's engineered to only need one injection every week. The original version of the drug (regular interferon) required up to three injections every week. Due to the pegylation, peginterferon is more convenient, more effective and has nearly replaced regular interferon as a therapy.

For chronic hepatitis B, there are other more effective treatment drugs available that are also much cheaper, but peginterferon remains a useful therapy for some people.

_Sources:

_{Dienstag, JL. Chronic Hepatitis. In: AS Fauci, E Braunwald, DL Kasper, SL Hauser, DL Longo, JL Jameson, J Loscaizo (eds), Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 17e. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2008.}

_{Friedman, LS. Liver, Biliary Tract, & Pancreas: Chronic Viral Hepatitis. In: LM Tierney, SJ McPhee, MA Papadakis (eds), 2007 Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 46e. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2007.}

_{Katzung, BG. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 10e. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2007.}

_{Pegasys Medication Guide. http://www.rocheusa.com/products/pegasys/PEGASYS_MedGuide.pdf.}

_{PegIntron Medication Guide. http://www.spfiles.com/pipeg-intron.pdf#page=8.}

Some people may experience many more side effects. Here is an extensive list of side effects from peginterferon treatment.

As noted above, peginterferon can treat both hepatitis B and C. However, in the United States, doctors rarely use peginterferon to treat hepatitis B, choosing, instead, other treatment options. For hepatitis C, doctors nearly always combine peginterferon with ribavirin for the best treatment.

_Sources:

_{Package Insert for Pegasys. http://www.fda.gov/CDER/foi/label/2002/pegihof101602LB.htm.}

_{Pegasys Information. http://www.rocheusa.com/products/pegasys/pi.pdf.}

How Are These Side effects Determined?

How to Understand This List of Side Effects

Should I Be Concerned about These Side Effects?

It's also important not to be discouraged by these side effects. Every medication will have some unwanted effects, but taking this drug gives you the best chance of a successful treatment in exchange for having side effects. As potentially better treatments are introduced, you can compare their effectiveness against their side effects and, with your doctor, make an informed decision on your treatment.

Where Do I Get This Information?