User:Mr. Ibrahem/Peginterferon alfa-2b

Pegylated interferon alfa-2b, sold under the brand name PegIntron among others, is a medication used to treat hepatitis C and melanoma. For hepatitis C it is typically used with ribavirin and cure rates are between 33 and 82%. For melanoma it is used in addition to surgery. It is given by injection under the skin.

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

Pegylated interferon alfa-2b was approved for medical use in the United States in 2001. 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 and 4,800 USD for 12 weeks. In the United States this costs about 8,400 USD, while in the United Kingdom 12 weeks costs the NHS about 1595 pounds.