Pegylated interferon alfa-2b

Peginterferon alfa-2b

Clinical data
Trade names	PegIntron, Sylatron, ViraferonPeg, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	Professional Drug Facts
MedlinePlus	a605030
Pregnancy category	C, X (with ribavirin)
Routes of administration	subQ
ATC code	L03AB10 (WHO)
Pharmacokinetic data
Biological half-life	22–60 hrs
Identifiers
IUPAC name PEGylated human interferon alpha 2b
CAS Number	99210-65-8 Y
IUPHAR/BPS	7462
DrugBank	DB00022 Y
ChemSpider	none
UNII	G8RGG88B68 N
KEGG	D02745 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL1201561 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.208.164
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C860H1353N229O255S9
Molar mass	19269.1 g/mol
NY (what is this?)

Pegylated interferon alfa-2b, sold under the brand name is PegIntron among others, is a medication used to treat hepatitis C and melanoma. For hepatitis C it is typically used with ribavirin and cure rates are between 33 and 82%. For melanoma it is used in addition to surgery. It is given by injection under the skin.

Side effects are common. They may include headache, feeling tired, mood changes, trouble sleeping, hair loss, nausea, pain at the site of injection, and fever. Severe side effects may include psychosis, liver problems, blood clots, infections, or an irregular heartbeat. Use with ribavirin is not recommended during pregnancy. Pegylated interferon alfa-2b is in the alpha interferon family of medications. It is pegylated to protects the molecule from breakdown.

Pegylated interferon alfa-2b was approved for medical use in the United States in 2001. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. The wholesale cost in the developing world is between 500 and 4,800 USD for 12 weeks. In the United States this costs about 8,400.00 USD, while in the United Kingdom 12 weeks costs the NHS about 1595.00 pounds.

It is used to treat hepatitis C and melanoma. For hepatitis C it is typically used with ribavirin. For melanoma it is used in addition to surgery.

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Wikipedia