Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. You may also be taught how to give your medicine at home. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin (usually in the stomach, back of the upper arm, or thighs) or into your muscle (usually in the left and right thighs).

If you are injecting peginterferon beta-1a yourself, use it exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without checking first with your doctor. The exact amount of medicine you need has been carefully worked out. Using too much will increase the risk for side effects, while using too little may not improve your condition.

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. Do not inject into skin areas that are irritated, reddened, bruised, infected, or scarred in any way.

Check the injection site after 2 hours for redness, swelling, and tenderness.

Each package of the medicine contains a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read the instructions carefully and make sure you understand:

  • How to prepare the injection.
  • How to use disposable syringes or pen.
  • How to store the syringes or pen.

Allow the medicine to warm to room temperature for 30 minutes before you use it. Do not warm it in any other way.

You might not use all of the medicine in each prefilled syringe or pen. Use each prefilled syringe and pen only one time. Do not save an open syringe or pen.

You may also receive other medicines (fever medicine, pain medicine) to help prevent or lessen flu-like symptoms (eg, fever, cough, chills, body aches) that may occur during treatment with this medicine.

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 (solution):
    • For multiple sclerosis:
      • Adults—63 micrograms (mcg) injected under the skin or into a muscle on Day 1. Your doctor will increase your dose to 94 mcg after 14 days, reaching the full dose of 125 mcg on Day 29 (after another 14 days). Then, 125 mcg injected under your skin or into your muscle every 14 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

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.

You may also store this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light, for up 30 days. Throw away any unused medicine after 30 days.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.