Fwd: INFO: Interferons / Pegylated Interferons Side Effects

[Guest guest]

Note: forwarded message attached.

Interferons / Pegylated Interferons Side Effects Article Date: 9/30/2003 Reviewed September 19, 2005 by V. J. , RN, BSN, MA Whether you are taking the combination therapy of interferon and ribavirin, combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin or interferon monotherapy, the side effects you may experience will be similar because most of them are related to the interferon.Below is a list of the most common side effects of interferon or peginterferon therapy. Please note that it's highly unlikely that you will experience all of these side effects simultaneously.Injection Site Redness or pain at the injection site Body as a Whole Fatigue, fever, rigor, body pain, flu-like symptoms, and chest pain Cardiovascular High blood pressure, heart palpitationsCentral / Peripheral Nervous System Headache, insomnia, dizziness, paresthesia (prickling or tingling sensation)Endocrine Abnormal thyroid functionGastrointestinalAbdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia (decreased appetite), dyspepsia (uncomfortable digestion), vomitingHematologicDecreased red blood cells (anemia), decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia), decreased white blood cells (leukopenia)Liver and Biliary SystemLiver tendernessMetabolicIncreased triglycerides (fatty substances in

the blood)Muscular / SkeletalPain in muscles, joints, back, neck, or limbsMental / EmotionalNervousness, depression, anxiety, and emotional lability.In a small number of patients, the depression caused by interferon medication has led to suicide attempts. Depression must be reported immediately to a physician for evaluation and treatment.ReproductivePainful or irregular menstruation, vaginitis, increased menstrual bleedingRespiratoryPharyngitis, upper respiratory infection, cough, sinusitis, rhinitis (runny nose), respiratory congestionSkin / AppendagesHair thinning and hair loss, pruritus (itching), rash, redness, sweatingSensoryAlterations in taste and smellSource Schering-Plough: Intron A Home Page. http://www.introna.com/introna/index.jsp Roche: Roferon-A Home Page. http://www.rocheusa.com/products/roferon/ Schering-Plough: PEG-Intron Home Page. http://www.pegintron.com/index_main.html Roche: Pegasys Home Page. http://www.pegasys.com/ Reviewed September 19, 2005 by V. J. , RN, BSN, MA http://www.hepatitisneighborhood.com/content/treatment_options/medication_side_effects_295.aspx