Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. You may also be taught how to give your medicine at home. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin (usually in the stomach or upper thigh).

If you are injecting ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft yourself, use it exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without checking first with your doctor. The exact amount of medicine you need has been carefully worked out. Using too much will increase the risk for side effects, while using too little may not improve your condition.

You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not inject into skin areas that are irritated, reddened, bruised, infected, or scarred in any way.

Each package of the medicine contains a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read the instructions carefully and make sure you understand:

  • How to prepare the injection.
  • How to use prefilled syringes.
  • How to store the prefilled syringes.

Check the medicine in the prefilled syringe. It should be clear and colorless to slightly yellow. Do not use the medicine if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it. Do not use the prefilled syringe if it is damaged or broken.

Allow the medicine to warm to room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before you use it. Do not warm it in any other way.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form (solution):
    • For polycythemia vera (patients not using hydroxyurea):
      • Adults—At first, 100 micrograms (mcg) injected under your skin every 2 weeks. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose 50 mcg every 2 weeks.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For polycythemia vera (patients receiving hydroxyurea):
      • Adults—At first, 50 micrograms (mcg) injected under your skin every 2 weeks in combination with hydroxyurea. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose 50 mcg and gradually reduce hydroxyurea every 2 weeks during weeks 3 to 12.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Do not use this medicine if it has been frozen or left in direct sunlight.

Each prefilled syringe or needle should be used only one time. Do not reuse your prefilled syringe or needle. Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Portions of this document last updated: July 01, 2024

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