Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, usually in the right and left upper arms, or thighs.

Each package of interferon gamma-1b contains a patient instruction sheet. Read this sheet carefully and make sure you understand:

  • How to prepare the injection.
  • Proper use of disposable syringes.
  • How to give the injection.
  • How long the injection is stable.

If you have any questions about any of this, check with your doctor.

You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections.

Use each vial only one time. Do not save an open vial. If the medicine in the vial has changed color, or if you see particles in it, do not use it. Do not shake it.

Do not mix it with other medicines in the same syringe.

You may have fewer side effects (headache, fever, or muscle aches) if you give yourself the shot just before bedtime. Ask your doctor if you can take acetaminophen to prevent or relieve side effects.

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

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form:
    • For chronic granulomatous disease:
      • Adults and children 1 year of age and older—Dose is based on body size and must be determined by your doctor.
        • For patients with more than 0.5 square meter (m[2]) of body size: The dose is 50 microgram (mcg) per square meter (m[2]) of body size injected under your skin 3 times every week.
        • For patients with less than or equal to 0.5 square meter (m[2]) of body size: The dose is 1.50 microgram (mcg) per kilogram (kg) of body size injected under your skin 3 times every week.
      • Children younger than 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For severe, malignant osteopetrosis:
      • Adults and children 1 month of age and older—Dose is based on body size and must be determined by your doctor.
        • For patients with more than 0.5 square meter (m[2]) of body size: The dose is 50 microgram (mcg) per square meter (m[2]) of body size injected under your skin 3 times every week.
        • For patients with less than or equal to 0.5 square meter (m[2]) of body size: The dose is 1.50 microgram (mcg) per kilogram (kg) of body size injected under your skin 3 times every week.
      • Children up to 1 month of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Throw away any unopened vials that are left at room temperature for more than 12 hours.