Created: 2006-10-13 15:32:06.0
Modified: 2010-03-19 12:19:27.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider. This medicine can increase blood sugar.
• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have hepatitis B or HIV disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have lung disease, talk with healthcare provider. You may be more sensitive to this medicine.
• If you have mental illness, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have had an organ transplant, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Alcohol can worsen liver disease.
• Use two forms of birth control that you can trust while using this medicine and for 6 months after treatment ends.
• If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy during treatment and for 6 months after treatment ends. Use two forms of birth control that you can trust.
• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Headache.
• Anemia.
• Belly pain.
• Diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Inability to sleep.
• Anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Not hungry.
• Cough.
• Skin irritation.
• 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.
• Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
• Severe dizziness or passing out.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Severe belly pain.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Feeling extremely tired or weak.
• Not able to eat.
• Severe skin irritation.
• Sudden change in vision.
• For females, if you become pregnant while taking this medicine or within 6 months after treatment ends.
• For males, if your female partner becomes pregnant while you are being treated or within 6 months after treatment ends.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
• Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Use two effective forms of birth control during treatment and for 6 months after treatment ends.
• This medicine can cause a dangerous drop in your red blood cell count. Tell healthcare provider if you have heart or lung problems. Tell healthcare provider if you are using a ventilator.
• You should not take this medicine alone to treat hepatitis C infection.
• This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• Please read the medication guide.
• If you have an allergy to ribavirin 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 have any of the following conditions: Autoimmune hepatitis, poor kidney function, sickle cell anemia, or thalassemia major.
• If you are of childbearing age, but are not using two forms of birth control or if you are planning to become pregnant during your treatment or within 6 months after treatment has ended.
• If you are a male patient with a sexual partner who is pregnant or plans on becoming pregnant at any time while you are being treated or within 6 months after your treatment has ended.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding.
• 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 or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Store capsules and solution in a refrigerator or at room temperature.
• Protect capsules from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
• Store powder and tablets at room temperature.
• This medicine is used to treat hepatitis C infection.
• This medicine is used to treat respiratory syncytial virus.
All forms:
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• This medicine must be used with interferon alfa for treatment of hepatitis C.
Oral:
• Take capsule or solution with or without food but be consistent. Always take with food or always take on an empty stomach.
• When capsules are used in combination with peginterferon alfa-2b, take with food.
• Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Take tablet with food.
• A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills.
• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
Inhalation:
• You will inhale this medicine through your mouth.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Have an eye exam before starting treatment and then yearly.
• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
• Check weight weekly. Report a weight change to healthcare provider.
• If you are a female of childbearing age, take two pregnancy tests before starting this medicine and monthly while using this medicine.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
• 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.
