What is interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin?
Interferon alfa-2b is made from human proteins that help the body fight viral infections.
Ribavirin is an antiviral medication.
Interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin are packaged together as a capsule and injection kit to treat
chronic hepatitis C. These medications must be used together.
Interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) or
ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetol), or if you have:
-
autoimmune hepatitis;
-
liver failure;
-
severe kidney disease;
-
a hemoglobin blood cell disorder such as sickle-cell anemia
or thalassemia;
-
if you are pregnant or breast-feeding; or
-
if you are a man and your female sexual partner is
pregnant.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin:
-
lung disease;
-
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
-
hepatitis B, or liver problems other than hepatitis;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
uncontrolled diabetes;
-
new or worsening problems with your eyes;
-
cancer;
-
HIV or AIDS;
-
high cholesterol or triglycerides;
-
heart disease or high blood pressure;
-
history of organ transplant;
-
history of heart attack, or stroke;
-
any blood cell disorder causing bleeding episodes,
infections, or fever-related illness;
-
an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis,
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or psoriasis;
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction, depression, anxiety,
or suicidal thoughts or behaviors; or
-
if you have ever used an interferon to treat hepatitis in the
past and it did not work.
FDA pregnancy category X.
Ribavirin is known to cause
birth defects or death in an unborn baby. Do not use interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin if you are
pregnant.
You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before using this medication and
every month during your treatment.
-
If you are a woman
, do not use interferon alfa-2b
and ribavirin if you are pregnant.
-
If you are a man,
do not use interferon
alfa-2b and ribavirin if your female sexual partner is pregnant. An unborn baby could also be
harmed if a man fathers the child while he is taking ribavirin.
-
Use at least 2 effective forms of birth control while either
sexual partner is using interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin with ribavirin. Keep using 2 forms of
birth control for at least 6 months after treatment ends.
-
Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while
either the mother or the father is using interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin together with ribavirin.
Interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin may pass into breast milk and could
harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you
think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.
Older adults may be more likely to have severe side effects from this medication.
The powder form of interferon alfa-2b contains albumin, but the solution (liquid) form does not.
Albumin comes from human plasma (part of the blood) and may contain viruses and other infectious
agents that can cause disease. Although donated human plasma is screened, tested, and treated to
reduce the risk of it containing anything that could cause disease, there is still a small possibility it could
transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
How should I take interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin?
Interferon alfa-2b is given as an injection under the skin. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare
provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not
self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of
used needles and syringes.
Do not draw your interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin dose into a syringe until you are ready to
give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it.
Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Use a different place on your arm, stomach, or thigh each time you give yourself an injection.
Your care provider will show you the places on your body where you can safely inject the medication.
Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof
container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container
out of the reach of children and pets.
The interferon alfa-2b injection is usually given 3 times per week. Ribavirin capsules are usually
taken twice daily. You may take the capsules with or without food but take them the same way each
time. Follow your doctor's instructions. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure
you get the best results from this medication.
Your ribavirin dose needs may change if you gain weight. Tell your doctor if your weight
increases to 165 pounds or above.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood
may need to be tested on a regular basis. You may also need regular eye exams. Do not miss any
scheduled appointments.
Store both the ribavirin capsules and the interferon alfa-2b vials (bottles) or injection pens in
the refrigerator. Do not allow the medicine to freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose of interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin?
Use the medicine as soon as you remember the missed dose, then go back to your regular
schedule on the day your next dose is due.
If you are more than 2 days late in using your
injection, call your doctor for instructions.
Do not use extra medicine to make up a
missed dose.
Where can I get more information about interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin?
Your pharmacist has information about interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin and call your doctor at once if you have any of
these serious side effects:
-
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or
weakness;
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, easy bruising or
bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
confusion, severe depression or anxiety, aggression,
thoughts of hurting yourself or others;
-
vision problems;
-
high fever with severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea.
-
cough, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, uneven
heartbeats;
-
severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back,
nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; or
-
worsening psoriasis or other autoimmune disorder.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
dizziness, tired feeling, headache, joint or muscle pain;
-
thinning hair;
-
mild nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
feeling mildly anxious, depressed, or irritable; or
-
pain, redness, swelling, or irritation where the medicine was
injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) or
ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetol), or if you have autoimmune hepatitis, severe liver or kidney disease, or a
hemoglobin blood cell disorder such as sickle-cell anemia or thalassemia.
Ribavirin is known to cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby.
Do not use
interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin if you are pregnant, or if you are a man and your female
sexual partner is pregnant.
Use at least 2 effective forms of birth control while either sexual partner is using interferon
alfa-2b and ribavirin with ribavirin. Keep using 2 forms of birth control for at least 6 months after
treatment ends. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father
is using interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin together with ribavirin.
Before using interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin, tell your doctor about all of your medical
conditions, especially kidney disease, liver problems other than hepatitis, heart disease or high blood
pressure, a thyroid disorder, eye problems, HIV or AIDS, a blood cell disorder, an autoimmune
disorder such as lupus or psoriasis, or a history of heart attack, stroke, organ transplant, depression,
mental illness, drug or alcohol addiction, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Also tell your doctor if you have ever used an interferon to treat hepatitis in the past and it did
not work.
What should I avoid while taking interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin?
Avoid drinking alcohol while using interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin. Alcohol may increase
your risk of liver damage.
Treatment with this medication does not prevent spread of the hepatitis virus to other people.
Follow your doctor's instructions about how to prevent passing the disease to another person.
What other drugs will affect interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially HIV or AIDS medications such
as :
-
abacavir (Ziagen);
-
didanosine (Videx);
-
efavirenz (Sustiva, Atripla);
-
emtricitabine (Emtriva);
-
etravine (Intelence);
-
lamivudine (Epivir, Epzicom, Combivir, Trizivir);
-
stavudine (Zerit);
-
tenofovir (Truvada, Viread); or
-
zidovudine (Retrovir).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the
medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
What happens if I have an overdose of interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin?
