Peginterferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you have been unsuccessfully treated for hepatitis C infection before with this medicine, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have cancer, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider. This medicine can increase blood sugar.

• If you have drug or alcohol addiction, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have hepatitis B or HIV disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have lung disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have mental illness, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Alcohol can worsen liver disease.

• Use two forms of birth control that you can trust while using this medicine and for 6 months after treatment ends.

• If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy during treatment and for 6 months after treatment ends. Use two forms of birth control that you can trust.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes, aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.

• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Anemia.

• Belly pain.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Hair thinning.

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Inability to sleep.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Not able to eat.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Dark, tarry-black stool.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Sudden change in vision, eye pain, or irritation.

• Any rash.

• For females, if you become pregnant while taking this medicine or within 6 months after treatment ends.

• For males, if your female partner becomes pregnant while you are being treated or within 6 months after treatment ends.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.