Side effects of interferon, pegylated interferon, consensus interferon and ribavirin therapy

DIGESTIVE HEALTH CONSULTANTS
SIDE EFFECTS OF INTERFERON, PEGYLATED INTERFERON, CONSENSUS INTERFERON AND
RIBAVIRIN THERAPY

General and miscellaneous:

Fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, headache, dizziness, hearing loss, insomnia, fatigue, inflammation and pain in the
joints, muscle aches, muscle contractions/cramps, numbness and tingling, nerve damage, thinning of hair, weight loss
or gain, excessive sweating (especially at night), thyroid dysfunction, parathyroid dysfunction, increased or decreased
level of potassium
Any existing medical condition can be worsened by these medications.
Gastrointestinal:

Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, changes in taste, dry mouth, dry cough, diarrhea, initiation or worsening
of inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease
Cardiovascular Disorders:

Chest pain, heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, low or high blood pressure any of which can lead to death
Lung Disorders:

Difficulty breathing, asthma, pneumonia, interstitial pneumonitis, bronchiolitis obliterans, lung infection and/or
infiltrates, emphysema, pulmonary sarcoidosis (wide spread lesion forming in the lungs)
Renal Dysfunction:

Decrease in kidney function and failure leading to dialysis dependency
Liver Toxicity:

Jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, liver pain, decreased liver function
Vision Disorders:

Changes in vision which could be permanent, including blindness in one or both eyes
Brain Disorders:

Cerebral atrophy (brain size decreases), aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain without evidence of
infection), Bell’s palsy or other facial palsy (temporary partial paralysis involving the eyelid and cheek), decreased short
term memory, decreased cognitive abilities. Some of these side effects may not resolve after therapy is completed.
Autoimmune Disorders:

Initiation of or worsening of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, Sjogren’s disease (dry mouth and eyes). These side effects may or may not resolve with completion of therapy. SIDE EFFECTS OF INTERFERON, PEGYLATED INTERFERON, CONSENSUS INTERFERON AND
RIBAVIRIN THERAPY


Blood Disorders:

Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), low red (anemia) and white blood cell count (neutropenia and leukopenia),
decreased clotting time, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (autoimmune disorder which causes destruction of
platelets), blood clot formation (thrombosis) in extremities or lungs
Skin Reactions:
Rashes, lichen planus, dry or itchy skin, lupus erythematous (skin infection), psoriasis (skin disorder causing red
patches with white scales), Stevens Johnson Syndrome (lesions and redness of the skin produced by congestion/broken
capillaries), injection sites reactions or redness, injections site infections, transient erythema (redness), eczema,
depilation (hair loss), skin necrosis, vasculitis, initiation or worsening of vitiligo
Drug Addiction:
Relapse of sobriety or IV drug use dependence, overdose of alcohol or drugs
Psychiatric, Psychological, Mood and Behavioral Problems:
Depression, anxiety, irritability, lack of concentration, insomnia, mental confusion, hallucinations, mania, bipolar
disorders, suicidal thoughts and attempts, homicidal thoughts, psychosis, paranoia, neurosis, disorders of psychomotor
activity, vegetative symptoms. Organic personality syndrome characterized by irritability and short temper. An organic
effective disorder marked by extreme lability, depression and tearfulness. Delirium marked by clouding of
consciousness, agitation, paranoia, and suicide potential. There are known cases of completed suicide and homicide
while taking this medication.
Women’s Health Issues:
Menstrual disorders, inability to have children, spontaneous abortions and birth defects.
SOME OF THESE SIDE EFFECTS MAY BE SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE DEATH.
SOME OF THESE SIDE EFFECTS MAY BE IRREVERSIBLE.
Most side effects (with the possible exception of thyroid dysfunction) will generally reverse with discontinuation of
these medications. It can take up to 8 weeks for the medications to completely leave body tissue.
Date:_________________
Patient’s Name: _______________________________ DOB:________________
I, __________________________________, have read the above side effects of interferon, pegylated interferon,
consensus interferon and ribavirin and understand this may not be an exclusive list of side effects. I know the dangers
of these medications, but I want to proceed with therapy. I understand some of these side effects may require a consult
with another specialty medical provider, and I agree to work with my Primary Care Provider in obtaining such a
specialist. I will utilize the nursing support program provided by the pharmaceutical company and contact my
physician at the offices of Digestive Health Consultants of Northern California should side effects persist/worsen.

Source: http://hepatitiscawareness.com/hepc/sites/default/files/Interferon-Side-Effects-RELEASE.pdf