faster (there's no vial to prepare) and safer (you don't have to handle the needle until just before you inject). PEGASYS is the only pegylated interferon available this way.
With this streamlined design, you may be able to prepare and take your medication at times and in places that are more convenient for you. (However, remember to take PEGASYS on the same day, and at or around the same time, each week.) There's only one box of medication to store in the refrigerator, and each time you take a dose out you'll see how many weeks are left before you need to refill your prescription.
PEGASYS vials and PEGASYS prefilled syringes contain the same amount of the same medication. So if you think you would like the convenience of prefilled syringes, ask your doctor or pharmacist about switching.
Phase 1: Before you inject
Keep it cool
- PEGASYS must be kept in the refrigerator (36ºF-46ºF/2ºC-8ºC), but never frozen. Avoid exposing PEGASYS to direct sunlight
Choose a setting
- Find a clean, comfortable area
- Have all medical supplies within reach
Make sure your PEGASYS Prefilled Syringes Monthly Convenience Pack contains the following items:
- 4 syringes filled with medicine
- 4 needles
- Alcohol pads
Before you begin, you'll need (see visual A)
- 1 PEGASYS Prefilled Syringe
- 1 needle with needle guard
- A puncture-resistant container (sharps container)
- Alcohol pad
Always inspect the syringe and the contents inside the syringe. DO NOT use PEGASYS if
- The syringe is cracked or broken
- Medicine is cloudy
- Medicine has particles floating in it
- Medicine is any color besides colorless or light yellow
- Expiration date has passed
If you notice any of these things, call your doctor or pharmacist to let them know and to obtain a replacement.
Note: This guide contains the patient self-injection procedure for PEGASYS. It is not meant to offer instruction for the administration of any other type of medication. Perform this procedure only after consultation with your doctor on the use of PEGASYS.
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Phase 2: Injecting PEGASYS
To ensure maximum safety and comfort, please follow these steps during the self-injection process.
Step 1: Warm the refrigerated medicine by gently rolling the syringe in your hands for 1 minute. DO NOT SHAKE
Step 2: Wash hands with soap and warm water to prevent infection
- Dry your hands with a paper towel and use the towel to turn off faucet
Step 3: Attach needle to syringe
- Remove needle from package (DO NOT remove the plastic cap from the needle. Keep needle covered until the time of injection)
- Remove and throw away the rubber cap on the tip of syringe
- Put needle on the end of syringe barrel so that it fits tightly (see visual B)
CHECKPOINT: If you need to put down the syringe, make sure the plastic cap covers the needle. NEVER let the needle touch any surface.
Step 4: Decide where to self-inject
- Pick a place on stomach or thigh. Avoid the navel and waistline
- Pick a different spot each time you give yourself an injection
Step 5: Prepare skin for injection
- To avoid any discomfort, gently tap the area you plan to give yourself the injection
- Clean the area with an alcohol pad
- Let the skin dry for approximately 10 seconds
Step 6: Uncover the needle
- Remove the plastic cap from the shield
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CHECKPOINT: DO NOT REMOVE the orange needle guard attached to the syringe above the needle. It is a safety device that is intended to help protect you and others from accidental needlesticks.
Step 7: Remove air bubbles from syringe
- Hold syringe with needle pointed toward the ceiling
- Using the thumb and finger, tap syringe to bring air bubbles to the top
- Press plunger in slightly to push air bubbles out of the syringe
CHECKPOINT: Depending on the dose your doctor has prescribed, you may have to drain off some of the medicine prior to injection. The syringe has markings for 180 mcg, 135 mcg, and 90 mcg (see visual C). Your doctor will tell you which mark to use.
- Once you know which mark to use, slowly and carefully push down on the red plunger rod of the syringe to push out excess medicine. Keep pushing down until the edge of the plunger stopper reaches the right mark on the side of the syringe
- DO NOT decrease your PEGASYS dose unless your doctor tells you to
- DO NOT save or reuse any medication discharged from the syringe
Step 8: Perform the self-injection
- Position the point of the needle (the bevel) so it's facing up (see visual D)
- Pinch a fold of skin on the stomach or thigh firmly with your thumb and forefinger (see visuals E, F)
- Hold the syringe like a pencil at a 45º to 90º angle over your skin, and in a quick motion, insert the needle as far as it will go into the pinched area of skin
CHECKPOINT: Pull the plunger of the syringe back very slightly. If blood comes into the syringe, the needle has entered a blood vessel. DO NOT INJECT. Withdraw needle and discard syringe as outlined in Phase 3 (Cleaning up). Repeat the Phase 2 steps with a new prefilled syringe.
- If no blood appears, release your skin and slowly push the plunger all the way down so that you get all of your medicine
- Pull out the needle at the same angle you inserted it. Wipe the area clean with an alcohol pad.
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Phase 3: Cleaning up
Before you throw out the syringe and needle, place free end of the orange needle guard on a flat surface and push down on it until it clicks and covers the needle (see visual G). ALWAYS put used syringes and needles in a sharps container immediately after use (see visual H).
NEVER REUSE SYRINGES AND NEEDLES.
