• If you have an allergy to interferon gamma-1b, E. coli derived proteins, or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding.
• This medicine is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
• Your healthcare provider may teach you how to give the shot.
• Take this medicine at bedtime to help with flu-like symptoms.
• Move site where you give the shot with each shot.
• Follow instructions closely if you or a family member are giving the shot at home.
• Wash hands before and after use.
• Do not shake the solution.
• Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
• Throw away needles in needle/sharp disposal box and return box to healthcare provider when full.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose, brand, or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
• Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Do not shake.
• Throw away any unused portion of opened vial after use.
Created: 2005-04-07 16:50:43.0
Modified: 2010-03-09 08:28:52.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• This medicine is used to fight infections associated with chronic granulomatous disease.
• This medicine is used to slow the progress of osteopetrosis.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you have bleeding problems, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider. The flu-like side effects of interferon may be stressful to heart patients.
• If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
• Irritation where the shot is given.
• Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes, aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Diarrhea.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Belly pain.
• Muscle weakness.
• Depression.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
• Unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• Feeling extremely tired or weak.
• Not able to eat.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Severe belly pain.
• Severe skin irritation.
• If you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
