Ropeginterferon alfa-2b

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b may cause or worsen mental disorders, which may be serious or life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had mental illness including depression, mood and behavior problems, or thoughts of hurting or killing yourself or others. Your doctor may tell you not to use ropeginterferon alfa-2b injection. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: new or worsening depression; thinking about harming or killing yourself, or planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation; panic attacks; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; aggressive behavior; irritability; acting without thinking; severe restlessness; or frenzied abnormal excitement.

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b may cause or worsen ischemic disorders (conditions in which there is poor blood supply to an area of the body), which may be serious or life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had atherosclerosis (narrowing of the blood vessels from fatty deposits); angina (chest pain), a heart attack, heart failure, an irregular heartbeat, or other heart problems; high blood pressure; a stroke; or high blood fats (triglycerides). If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: chest pain or irregular heartbeat.

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b may cause or worsen infections, which may be serious or life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you have an infection or if you have or ever have had HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or hepatitis B infection. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, burning and painful urination, or other signs of infection.

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b may cause or worsen autoimmune disorders (conditions in which the immune system attacks one or more parts of the body), which may be serious or life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an autoimmune disease. Your doctor may tell you not to use ropeginterferon alfa-2b injection. Also, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes or thyroid problems. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: tiredness, urinating more frequently, increased thirst (drinking more than normal), or worsening of an autoimmune disease.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body’s response to ropeginterferon alfa-2b- injection.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with ropeginterferon alfa-2b and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) to obtain the Medication Guide.

Once you do get to see the doctor, don’t be surprised if you’re rushed out of the exam room before you get all of your questions answered, according to healthcare staffing agency Staff Care. Studies show that 41% of ophthalmologists spend just 9 to 12 minutes with a patient, and 13- to 16-minute appointments are the norm for 40% of cardiologists, 37% of pediatricians, 35% of urologists, 35% of family physicians, 34% of obstetricians and gynecologists and 30% of otolaryngologists.

🔔 Why is this medication prescribed?

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b injection is used to treat polycythemia vera (PV; a slow growing cancer of the blood in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells). Ropeginterferon alfa-2b injection is in a class of medications called interferons. It works by blocking the signals that cause cancer cells to multiply.

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

Ropeginterferon alfa-2b comes as a solution (liquid) in a prefilled syringe to inject subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually injected once every 2 weeks for at least one year and after that, it may be injected once every 4 weeks. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use ropeginterferon alfa-2b injection exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of ropeginterferon alfa-2b and may gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 2 weeks.

You may receive your first dose of ropeginterferon alfa-2b injection in your doctor’s office. After your first dose, your doctor may allow you or a friend or relative to perform the injections at home. Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions for use that comes with the medication. These instructions describe how to inject a dose of ropeginterferon alfa-2b. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to inject the medication.

Continue to use ropeginterferon alfa-2b injection even if you feel well. Do not stop using ropeginterferon alfa-2b injection without talking to your doctor.

Use a new prefilled syringe each time you inject your medication. Do not reuse or share syringes and needles. Dispose of used syringes and needles in a puncture-resistant container that is out of the reach of children. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to dispose of the puncture-resistant container.

Before you are ready to inject ropeginterferon alfa-2b, you will need to remove the medication from the refrigerator, and allow it to rest for around 15 to 30 minutes so that it can warm to room temperature. Do not try to warm the medication by heating it in a microwave, placing it in hot water, or through any other method.

Always look at ropeginterferon alfa-2b solution before injecting it. Check that the expiration date has not passed and that the liquid is clear and colorless to slightly yellow. The liquid should not contain visible particles. Do not use a syringe if it is damaged or broken, expired, or if the liquid is cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.

You can inject ropeginterferon alfa-2b anywhere on the front of your thighs (upper leg) or your lower part of your stomach except your navel (belly button) and the area 2 inches (5 centimeters) around it. Choose a different spot each time you inject your medication. Do not inject your medication into skin that is irritated, bruised, reddened, infected, or scarred.