- Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC)
- Adults and pediatric patients ≥5 years
- In combination with ribavirin or other antivirals
Dose:
Chronic Hepatitis C (Adults):
- 180 mcg subcutaneously once weekly for 48 weeks often in combination with ribavirin (dose based on weight)
Pediatrics (≥5 years, Hepatitis C):
- 180 mcg/1.73 m² (up to max 180 mcg) subcutaneously once weekly In combination with weight-based ribavirin
- Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB)
- Adults with HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection with liver inflammation
Dose:180 mcg subcutaneously once weekly for 48 weeks (monotherapy)
- Prefilled syringe or autoinjector:
- 180 mcg/0.5 mL solution
- Also available in 135 mcg/0.5 mL and 90 mcg/0.5 mL formats
- Administer subcutaneously in abdomen or thigh
- Rotate injection sites
- Store in refrigerator; allow to reach room temperature before use
- Do not shake
- Class: Pegylated interferon (immunomodulator + antiviral)
- Mechanism of Action:
- Binds to interferon receptors → activates immune responses → inhibits viral replication and modulates immune system
- Pegylation increases half-life, allowing once-weekly dosing
- Pharmacokinetics:
- Half-life: ~80–90 hours
- Time to peak: 72–96 hours
- Elimination: Primarily renal
- Flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, myalgia, headache)
- Nausea
- Depression, irritability, insomnia
- Injection site reactions
- Hair thinning
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Hepatic decompensation in cirrhotic patients (esp. with HBV/HCV co-infection)
- Hypersensitivity to peginterferon alfa-2a or interferon
- Neonates/infants (contains benzyl alcohol, which is harmful)
- Theophylline: Clearance may be decreased
- Methadone: May increase methadone levels
- Increased risk of myelosuppression when used with other bone marrow suppressors
Drug Status
Availability | |
Pregnancy | |
Breastfeeding | |
Schedule |
BRAND NAME | STRENGTH | FORMULATION | PACK SIZE | MANUFACTURER | DISTRIBUTOR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pegasys | 180mcg | Pre-Filled Syringe | 1’s | F.Hoffman La-Roche | Roche Kenya |