User:Mr. Ibrahem/Peginterferon alfa-2a

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a, sold under the brand name Pegasys among others, is medication used to treat hepatitis C and hepatitis B. For hepatitis C it is typically used together with ribavirin and cure rates are between 24 and 92%. For hepatitis B it may be used alone. It is given by injection under the skin.

Side effects are common. They may include headache, feeling tired, depression, trouble sleeping, hair loss, nausea, pain at the site of injection, and fever. Severe side effects may include psychosis, autoimmune disorders, blood clots, or infections. Use with ribavirin is not recommended during pregnancy. Pegylated interferon alfa-2a is in the alpha interferon family of medications. It is pegylated to protect the molecule from breakdown.

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a was approved for medical use in the United States in 2002. It was on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines; however, was removed in 2023. The wholesale cost in the developing world is between 500.00 and US$4,800.00 for 12 weeks. In the United States this costs about US$9,250.00, while in the United Kingdom 12 weeks costs the NHS about 1,490 pounds.