Precautions
Before using interferon alfa, tell your doctor or Before using interferon alfa, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as albumin), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. albumin), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe liver conditions (e.g., autoimmune pharmacist if you have: severe liver conditions (e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, decompensated liver disease). hepatitis, decompensated liver disease). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood cell disorders (e.g., your medical history, especially of: blood cell disorders (e.g., anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia), cancer, diabetes, eye anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia), cancer, diabetes, eye problems, heart disease (e.g., angina, irregular heartbeat), high problems, heart disease (e.g., angina, irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, HIV infection, immune system diseases (e.g., blood pressure, HIV infection, immune system diseases (e.g., lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis), intestinal disease lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis), intestinal disease (e.g., colitis), kidney disease, liver disease, lung diseases (e.g., colitis), kidney disease, liver disease, lung diseases (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, asthma, (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, asthma, pneumonia), mental/mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression), pneumonia), mental/mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression), pancreatitis, seizure disorder, thyroid disease, use/abuse of pancreatitis, seizure disorder, thyroid disease, use/abuse of drugs/alcohol. drugs/alcohol. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose. Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections. nose. Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections. To lower your risk of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use To lower your risk of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports. avoid activities such as contact sports. If you use both interferon and ribavirin, you may quickly If you use both interferon and ribavirin, you may quickly develop a certain serious blood problem (anemia). Talk with your develop a certain serious blood problem (anemia). Talk with your doctor immediately if you feel sudden increased tiredness or doctor immediately if you feel sudden increased tiredness or fast/pounding heartbeat while taking interferon along with fast/pounding heartbeat while taking interferon along with ribavirin. ribavirin. If you use both interferon and ribavirin, tooth and gum If you use both interferon and ribavirin, tooth and gum problems may sometimes occur. Dry mouth can worsen this side problems may sometimes occur. Dry mouth can worsen this side effect. Prevent dry mouth by drinking plenty of water or by using effect. Prevent dry mouth by drinking plenty of water or by using a saliva substitute. Brush your teeth well at least twice daily a saliva substitute. Brush your teeth well at least twice daily and see your dentist regularly. If you experience vomiting during and see your dentist regularly. If you experience vomiting during treatment, rinse out your mouth afterwards to reduce tooth and treatment, rinse out your mouth afterwards to reduce tooth and gum problems. gum problems. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially dizziness, mental/mood changes, and effects on the heart. dizziness, mental/mood changes, and effects on the heart. This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to possible harm to an unborn baby and the risk of serious due to possible harm to an unborn baby and the risk of serious side effects for the pregnant woman. If you become pregnant or side effects for the pregnant woman. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. To avoid think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. To avoid pregnancy, both males and females using this drug must use pregnancy, both males and females using this drug must use reliable form(s) of birth control (e.g., condoms, birth control reliable form(s) of birth control (e.g., condoms, birth control pills) during treatment with this drug. Talk with your doctor pills) during treatment with this drug. Talk with your doctor about effective forms of birth control. about effective forms of birth control. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.