Roferon_A
Peginterferon alfa-2a
Pharmaceutical drug
Pegylated interferon alfa-2a, sold under the brand name Pegasys among others, is medication used to treat hepatitis C and hepatitis B.[2] For hepatitis C it is typically used together with ribavirin and cure rates are between 24 and 92%.[2][3] For hepatitis B it may be used alone.[4] It is given by injection under the skin.[2]
Side effects are common.[5] They may include headache, feeling tired, depression, trouble sleeping, hair loss, nausea, pain at the site of injection, and fever.[2] Severe side effects may include psychosis, autoimmune disorders, blood clots, or infections.[2] Use with ribavirin is not recommended during pregnancy.[2] Pegylated interferon alfa-2a is in the alpha interferon family of medications.[2] It is pegylated to protect the molecule from breakdown.[5]
Pegylated interferon alfa-2a was approved for medical use in the United States in 2002.[2] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[6]