Interferon gamma - Subcutaneous

Interferon gamma is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat chronic granulomatous diseases (an inherited blood disorder that impairs the action of white blood cells called phagocytes resulting in bacterial or fungal infections) and malignant osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bones).

Interferon gamma is to be injected subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the thigh or upper arm).

Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you. If you or your caregiver had been given the proper training on the preparation and injection techniques of this medicine, you or your caregiver may do the administration.

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not administer more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Remember to rotate the injection sites. Do not inject into the same area all the time. New injection sites should be at least 1.5 inches away from the previous injection site. Do not inject near the navel (belly button) and into areas where the skin is tender, swollen, bruised, red, hard, scarred, or affected by psoriasis.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the type of your condition and your response to the medication.

Interferon gamma must be administered regularly for it to be effective. Continue using this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop using it unless instructed by the doctor.

Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Interferon gamma.

If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.

If you or a caregiver had been trained to administer this medicine, inject the missed dose as soon as you remember and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you forgot to administer your dose.

Do not use Interferon gamma if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• myelosuppression (bone marrow disorder that causes reduced production of blood cells)
• history of seizures
• problems with brain function
• heart disease e.g. heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood), arrhythmia (irregular or abnormal heartbeat)
• severe kidney disease
• severe liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Interferon gamma to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, electrolyte levels, urine test, complete blood count, platelet count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.

Interferon gamma may cause tiredness, confusion, convulsion, disorientation, and hallucination (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not existent). If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.

Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, back pain, joint pain, and injection site redness, pain, or tenderness.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• headache, weakness, fever, chills, muscle pain

This medicine may cause the level of your white blood cells and platelets to drop.

White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.

Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Avoid vaccinations during treatment with this medicine. Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow Interferon gamma to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.

Discard if intact vial is left at room temperature for >12 hours before use.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.