Details

---

Peginterferon alfa 2a 135 mcg 180mcg injection is a pegylated interferon grouped as an antiviral drug.

It is used in treating hepatitis B and C infection alone or with combination with other drugs.

Pegylation (the attachment of polyethylene glycol to a protein) of interferon alpha 2a is done to  reduce the rate of absorption, renal and cellular clearance, and decreases the immunogenicity leading to longer half life of the drug. This results in pegylated interferon

Interferons are preferred over other antivirals because of their less resistance by the body..

Mechanism of action  is by binding to specific cell receptors and affects virus growth at multiple steps like inhibition of viral penetration, translation, transcription and protein processing.

It is available as PEGASYS in both Indian and international markets.

 

Uses

• Peginterferon alfa 2a 135 mcg 180mcg injection is the first line treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B.
• It is also used for treating Hepatitis C.
• it is also used in combination with other antiviral drugs to treat other types of hepatitis..

 

Dosage

• PEGASYS is available as 135mcg and 180mcg single dose vials.
• Peginterferon alfa 2a 135 mcg 180mcg injection is given once weekly subcutaneously in Chronic Hepatitis B.
• Final dosages of PEGASYS are determined by the doctor according to the pre existing medical conditions like history of infections, organ transplant and other immunity related disorders.
• In renal disease patients, dosages are adjusted according to the toxicity.
• It is stored in the refrigerator but before injecting, warm it by rolling the vial in between the hands.
• do not repeat the injection site.
• Do not shake the vial and do not reuse.

 

Side effects

• Flu-like symptoms: fever , headache ,bodyache, chills and malaise
• weight loss, Fatigue
• Rash
• cough
• Alopecia
• reversible hearing loss
• retinopathy
• pneumonitis
• Neurotoxicity: mood disturbances,depression, seizures
• Cytopenias due to myelosuppression
• Onset of Autoimmune disorders particularly thyroiditis
• hepatic toxicity
• Increased Infection susceptibility
• hypersensitivity

 

Precautions

• PEGASYS affects the immunity of the body so it is very necessary to carefully monitor the patient.
• It is not recommended in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
• It is also contraindicated in organ transplant patients,immunity related disorder, blood disorders, kidney insufficiency and liver problems.
• Regular checkups and lab reports monitoring are must to avoid complications.
• Contact with communicable diseased people must be avoided.

 

Review

Peginterferon alfa 2a 135 mcg 180mcg injection has more effect on immunity than other oral antiviral drugs but it has more adverse effects leading to systemic toxicity.