Peginterferon alfa-2a

Peginterferon alfa-2a
Clinical data
Trade names	Pegasys, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	Professional Drug Facts
MedlinePlus	a605029
License data	EU EMA: by INN; US DailyMed: Peginterferon_alfa-2a;
Pregnancy; category	AU: B3; X (with ribavirin);
Routes of; administration	Subcutaneous injection
ATC code	L03AB11 (WHO) ; L03AB61 (WHO) (in combinations);
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only); UK: POM (Prescription only); US: WARNINGRx-only; EU: Rx-only; In general: ℞ (Prescription only);
Identifiers
CAS Number	198153-51-4 ; alfa-2b: 215647-85-1 ;
DrugBank	DB00008 ;
ChemSpider	none;
UNII	Q46947ZFE7K; alfa-2b: G8RGG88B68 ;
KEGG	D02748 ;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1201560 ;
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C860H1353N227O255S9
Molar mass	19 241 g·mol−1 (unpegylated); 40 000 g/mol (pegylated)
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Pegylated interferon alfa-2a, sold under the brand name Pegasys among others, is medication used to treat hepatitis C and hepatitis B. For hepatitis C it is typically used together with ribavirin and cure rates are between 24 and 92%. For hepatitis B it may be used alone. It is given by injection under the skin.

Side effects are common. They may include headache, feeling tired, depression, trouble sleeping, hair loss, nausea, pain at the site of injection, and fever. Severe side effects may include psychosis, autoimmune disorders, blood clots, or infections. Use with ribavirin is not recommended during pregnancy. Pegylated interferon alfa-2a is in the alpha interferon family of medications. It is pegylated to protect the molecule from breakdown.

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a was approved for medical use in the United States in 2002. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

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