What is Intron A? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Intron A

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

• Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

• Do not save an open vial or syringe. Do not use the medicine if it has changed color or has particles in it.

• Allow the solution to warm to room temperature before you inject it.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

• Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

• Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

• Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

• Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

• Allow the solution to warm to room temperature before you inject it.

• Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.

• Do not save an open vial or syringe. Do not use the medicine if it has changed color or has particles in it.

• Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

What to do if you miss a dose of Intron A

Intron A contraindications - Who shouldn't take Intron A?

• This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to interferon alfa-2b, or if you have autoimmune hepatitis.

Intron A warnings

• This medicine may cause birth defects if either partner is using it together with ribavirin during conception or pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant. Female patients and female partners of male patients must use 2 forms of birth control during treatment and for 6 months after treatment ends. Female patients must have regular pregnancy tests during combination treatment.

• Vision changes

• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

• Sudden or severe headache, problems with speech or movement

• Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever

• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• This medicine may make you tired or unable to concentrate. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• The powder form of this medicine contains albumin, which comes from human blood. All donated blood is tested for certain viruses. Although your risk for getting a virus from the medicine is very low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including cirrhosis), bleeding problems, colitis, diabetes, eye or vision problems, heart or blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, high triglyceride levels, lung disease (such as COPD), thyroid problems, or an autoimmune disorder (such as lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or sarcoidosis). Tell your doctor if you have a history of stroke, blood clots, heart attack, depression, mental health problems, or addiction to drugs or alcohol.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Depression, unusual moods or behaviors, thoughts of hurting yourself or othersHeart problemsNew or worsening diabetes, thyroid problems, or autoimmune disordersNew or worsening lung or liver problemsInflammation of the pancreas or intestinesVision changes or eye problems

Intron A interactions & what to avoid when taking Intron A

• Some medicines can affect how interferon alfa-2b works. Tell your doctor if you are using telbivudine, theophylline, or zidovudine.

• The powder form of this medicine contains albumin, which comes from human blood. All donated blood is tested for certain viruses. Although your risk for getting a virus from the medicine is very low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Depression, unusual moods or behaviors, thoughts of hurting yourself or othersHeart problemsNew or worsening diabetes, thyroid problems, or autoimmune disordersNew or worsening lung or liver problemsInflammation of the pancreas or intestinesVision changes or eye problems

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including cirrhosis), bleeding problems, colitis, diabetes, eye or vision problems, heart or blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, high triglyceride levels, lung disease (such as COPD), thyroid problems, or an autoimmune disorder (such as lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or sarcoidosis). Tell your doctor if you have a history of stroke, blood clots, heart attack, depression, mental health problems, or addiction to drugs or alcohol.

• This medicine may make you tired or unable to concentrate. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.