Drug Interactions With Peginterferon Alfa-2a

When certain medications are combined with peginterferon alfa-2a, there is a possibility for drug interactions. Some of these reactions can decrease the effectiveness of the medications or increase your risk for side effects. Methadone, fluoxetine, and telbivudine are among the medications that can react with peginterferon alfa-2a.

Peginterferon Alfa-2a Information

An Overview of Peginterferon Alfa-2a Interactions

Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys^®) may react with several other medications. Some of the drugs that may interact with peginterferon alfa-2a include but are not limited to:

Aldesleukin (Proleukin^®)
Fluoxetine (Prozac^®, Sarafem^®, Symbyax^®)
Methadone (Dolophine^®, Methadose^®)
Pegloticase (Krystexxa™)
Telbivudine (Tyzeka^®)
Theophylline products (Elixophyllin^®, Theo-24^®, TheoCap™, Theochron^®, Uniphyl^®)
Zidovudine (Retrovir^®) or combination medications that contain zidovudine (Combivir^®, Trizivir^®).

More Detail on Drug Interactions With Peginterferon Alfa-2a

The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when peginterferon alfa-2a is combined with any of the drugs listed above.

Aldesleukin

Interferons, including peginterferon alfa-2a, may increase the risk for aldesleukin side effects. In general, aldesleukin should not be combined with interferon medications.

Fluoxetine

Peginterferon alfa-2a may decrease the level of fluoxetine in the blood, making it less effective. Check with your healthcare provider before using these medications together.

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