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Pegvir 120 Injection
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Pegvir 120 Injection

Manufactured byCIPLA LTD
ContainsPeginterferon Alfa-2B
Description
Pegvir 120 Injection is used in combination with ribavirin to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. This medicine may also be used alone or in combination with nucleotide analogues (Entecavir, Tenofovir, etc.) to treat chronic hepatitis B infection. This medicine helps to prevent the recurrence of melanoma (skin cancer) after it has been removed by surgery.
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Side effectsConcernsUsageRelated products

Substitutes

List of substitutes for Pegvir 120 Injection

Pegihep 120 Injection
Zydus Cadila

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Pegvir 120 Injection

  • Abdominal and stomach pain
  • Anxiety
  • Black or tarry stools
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mood swings
  • Chills and fever
  • Cough or hoarseness
  • Irritability
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness

Uses of Pegvir 120 Injection

What is it prescribed for?

  • Chronic Hepatitis C
  • Melanoma
  • Chronic Hepatitis B
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
    The peak plasma levels of this medicine can be observed in 15-44 hours on subcutaneous administration.
  • How long do the effects of this medicine last?
    The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is this a habit forming medicine?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
  • Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
  • Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to interferon alpha or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.

Autoimmune hepatitis

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with autoimmune hepatitis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Liver cirrhosis

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with liver cirrhosis associated with alcohol or any other causes with a Child-Pugh score ≥ 6 due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings

Neuropsychiatric reaction

This medicine can cause life-threatening or fatal neuropsychiatric reactions. These include suicide, suicidal tendency, depression, and an increased risk of relapse of recovering drug addicts. Report any such incidence to the doctor so that counseling can be performed at regular intervals. Monitoring the patients for signs and symptoms of depression and other psychiatric symptoms every 3 weeks during the first 8 weeks of treatment and every 6 months thereafter is recommended.

Heart diseases

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with cardiac dysfunctions such as hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of cardiac function, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Bone marrow suppression

This medicine can cause bone marrow depression. Severe decreases in white blood cell or platelet counts have been reported with this medicine. Close monitoring of blood cell count and symptoms for any infections should be monitored while receiving this medicine. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Growth retardation in pediatric patients

Use of Combination therapy with this medicine is reported to cause growth inhibition and weight loss in pediatric patients.

Hepatic decompensation

Cirrhotic chronic hepatitis C patients co-infected with HIV receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and alpha interferons with or without ribavirin appear to be at increased risk for development of hepatic decompensation compared to patients not receiving HAART. Close monitoring of hepatic function during treatment is necessary and discontinue immediately if decompensation (A Child-Pugh score greater than 6) observed.

Driving or Operating machinery

Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.

Missed Dose

Pen: The missed dose of this medicine should be administered as soon as possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it is already the time for your next scheduled dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose. Vials: Since this medicine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss an appointment for a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.

Overdose

Pen: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose. Vials: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Tramadol

Leflunomide

Bupropion

Tizanidine

Clozapine

Disease interactions

Kidney Disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with renal disease due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of renal function, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Autoimmune disorders

This medicine should be used with extreme caution or should be avoided in patients with autoimmune diseases due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Cardiovascular disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with cardiac dysfunctions such as hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of cardiac function, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

CNS disorders

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with seizures, psychiatric disorders or conditions affecting posture or gait due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Thyroid disorders

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with thyroid abnormalities due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the thyroid function, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Colitis

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with fatal and nonfatal ulcerative or hemorrhagic/ischemic colitis due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Diabetes Mellitus

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus due to increased risk of precipitation of ketoacidosis. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Bone marrow suppression

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with bone marrow suppression or decreased blood cell count due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of blood cell count, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Eye disorder

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with eye disorders due to an increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Patients should have periodic eye examinations during the treatment. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Lung disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with lung diseases due to increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Some formulations of this medicine can be self administered at home while others are to be administered in the hospital setting. Prefilled pen: Administer this medicine as advised by the doctor. It should be given in multiple cycles along with other antiviral agents. It is important to receive every scheduled dose. The blood cells, liver function, cardiac function, renal function should be assessed before starting the treatment. Any signs and symptoms of heart and liver dysfunction should be reported to the doctor on priority. Vials: This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by promoting certain reactions in the infected cells which prevent viral replication and suppression of viral multiplication.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Antineoplastic interferons, Antiviral interferons

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 12 September 2018]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b70816bb-913a-467f-acb8-67ef62cf8dac

[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 12 September 2018]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3874c95c-092e-4cd5-b104-6ed2bc391b0e

[Internet]. Ec.europa.eu. 2019 [cited 22 January 2019]. Available from:

http://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/2018/20180219139970/anx_139970_en.pdf
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Information on this page was last updated on 2 Nov 2020

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