Formulary
Peginterferon alfa: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Polyethylene glycol-conjugated ('pegylated') derivatives of interferon alfa ( peginterferon alfa-2a and peginterferon alfa-2b ) are available; pegylation...
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Peginterferon alfa: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Polyethylene glycol-conjugated ('pegylated') derivatives of interferon alfa ( peginterferon alfa-2a and peginterferon alfa-2b ) are available; pegylation...
Drug action
Polyethylene glycol-conjugated ('pegylated') derivatives of interferon alfa ( peginterferon alfa-2a and peginterferon alfa-2b ) are available; pegylation increases the persistence of the interferon in the blood.
Indications and dose
**Combined with ribavirin**
- **Adult** (By Subcutaneous Injection): for chronic hepatitis C, Monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C if ribavirin not tolerated or contra-indicated, Monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B (consult product literature).
**Chronic hepatitis C (in combination with ribavirin) in previously untreated children without liver decompensation for Pegasys**
- **Child 5-17 years** (By subcutaneous injection): (consult product literature).
Cautions
Cautions, further information For cautions consult product literature.
Contraindications
Contra-indications, further information For contra-indications consult product literature.
Side effects
Common or very common Alopecia; anaemia; anxiety; appetite abnormal; arrhythmias; arthralgia; arthritis; asthenia; ataxia; behaviour abnormal; breast pain; chest discomfort; chills; concentration impaired; confusion; constipation; cough; crying; dehydration; depression; diarrhoea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry eye; dry mouth; dysphagia; dysphonia; dyspnoea; ear pain; eye discomfort; eye disorders; eye inflammation; feeling abnormal; fever; gastrointestinal discomfort; gastrointestinal disorders; haemolytic anaemia; haemorrhage; hair texture abnormal; headaches; hearing impairment; hyperbilirubinaemia; hypertension; hyperthyroidism; hyperuricaemia; hypotension; hypothyroidism; increased risk of infection; influenza like illness; leucopenia; lymphadenopathy; malaise; memory loss; menstrual cycle irregularities; mood altered; muscle complaints; muscle tone increased; muscle weakness; nail disorder; nasal complaints; nausea; neutropenia; oedema; oral disorders; ovarian disorder; pain; palpitations; photosensitivity reaction; prostatitis; respiratory disorders; sensation abnormal; sepsis; sexual dysfunction; skin reactions; sleep disorders; sweat changes; syncope; taste altered; thirst; throat complaints; thrombocytopenia; tinnitus; tremor; urinary disorders; urine abnormal; vaginal disorder; vasodilation; vertigo; vision disorders; vomiting; weight decreased Uncommon Diabetes mellitus; hallucination; hypersensitivity; hypertriglyceridaemia; nerve disorders; pancreatitis; psychosis; sarcoidosis; suicidal behaviours; thyroiditis Rare or very rare Angioedema; bone marrow disorders; cardiac inflammation; cardiomyopathy; cerebral ischaemia; CNS haemorrhage; coma; congestive heart failure; diabetic ketoacidosis; embolism and thrombosis; encephalopathy; facial paralysis; injection site necrosis; interstitial lung disease; ischaemic heart disease; myocardial infarction; myopathy; renal failure; retinopathy; seizure (more common with high doses in the elderly); severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs); systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); ulcerative colitis; vasculitis Frequency not known Homicidal ideation; pericardial effusion; peripheral ischaemia; pulmonary arterial hypertension; pulmonary fibrosis; pure red cell aplasia; solid organ transplant rejection; tongue discolouration
Pregnancy
Manufacturers recommend avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk (toxicity in animal studies).
Breast feeding
Manufacturers advise avoid-no information available.
Hepatic impairment
Manufacturer advises avoid in severe impairment and decompensated cirrhosis.
Renal impairment
Dose adjustments See Prescribing in renal impairment . Manufacturer advises reduce dose if creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/minute (consult product literature).
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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