Plegridy

Generic name: Peginterferon Beta-1a
Drug class: Interferons

Usage of Plegridy

Plegridy is made from human proteins. Interferons stimulate the body's immune responses to infection or disease.

Plegridy is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) (including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease) in adults who are 18 to 65 years old.

Plegridy will not cure multiple sclerosis, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.

Plegridy is available in a single-dose prefilled pen or a single-dose prefilled syringe.

Plegridy side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Plegridy : hives, itching, bumps on your skin; feeling anxious or light-headed; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Peginterferon beta-1a can cause life-threatening blood clots in the small blood vessels inside your organs, such as your brain or kidneys. Seek medical help right away if you have symptoms of this condition, such as a fever, tiredness, decreased urination, bruising, or nosebleeds.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

ongoing pain, swelling, or skin changes where the injection was given;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

unusual changes in mood or behavior (feeling hopeless, anxious, nervous, irritable, or depressed);

thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself;

a seizure;

heart problems - swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath, rapid heartbeats, chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

low blood cell counts - fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;

liver problems - nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, confusion, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or

thyroid problems - mood swings, trouble sleeping, tiredness, hunger, diarrhea, pounding heartbeats, muscle weakness, sweating, dry skin, thinning hair, menstrual changes, weight changes, puffiness in your face, feeling more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.

Common Plegridy side effects may include:

pain, redness, itching, or swelling where the injection was given; or

flu symptoms - headache, fever, chills, tiredness, body aches.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Plegridy

You should not use Plegridy if you are allergic to peginterferon beta-1a.

To make sure Plegridy is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions;

liver disease;

bleeding problems;

an allergy to latex (if you use the prefilled syringe);

low blood cell counts;

heart disease;

a thyroid disorder;

a seizure; or

an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriasis.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while using Plegridy. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of peginterferon beta-1a on the baby.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using Plegridy. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Plegridy is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 or older than 65 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Plegridy

Usual Adult Dose of Plegridy for Multiple Sclerosis:

Initial dose: 63 mcg injected suBCutaneously or intramuscularly on day 1, 94 mcg on day 15 (14 days later), reaching the full dose of 125 mcg on day 29 (after another 14 days) Maintenance dose:125 mcg injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly every 14 days Comments: -Patient should be advised to rotate sites for subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. The usual sites for subcutaneous injections are abdomen, back of the upper arm, and thigh. The usual site for intramuscular injections is the thigh. -Prophylactic and concurrent use of analgesics and/or antipyretics may prevent or reduce flu-like symptoms sometimes experienced during treatment.

Warnings

Plegridy can cause serious side effects, including:

Liver problems or worsening of liver problems, including liver failure and death. Symptoms may include: yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eye, nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, bleeding more easily than normal, confusion, sleepiness, dark colored urine, and pale stools.

During your treatment, you will need to see your healthcare provider and have regular blood tests to check for these possible side effects.

Depression or suicidal thoughts. Symptoms may include: new or worsening depression (feeling hopeless or bad about yourself), thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide, irritability (getting upset easily), nervousness, or new or worsening anxiety.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

What other drugs will affect Plegridy

Other drugs may interact with peginterferon beta-1a, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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