Rebetol

Special warnings about Rebetol

Within two weeks of starting treatment with Rebetol, about one patient in 10 develops a severe form of anemia. Your doctor will order blood tests periodically to check for this condition. Severe anemia is a serious condition that can lead to a potentially fatal heart attack. Rebetol should be used with caution if you have a heart condition. Your doctor will perform heart tests such as an ECG before you begin treatment and will monitor your heart closely while you are taking Rebetol. You may have to discontinue therapy if you develop heart-related problems or if your heart condition gets worse.

Treatment with Rebetol and Intron A or PEG-Intron can have other serious side effects, including depression and suicidal thoughts (especially in adolescents), changes in bone marrow, pancreas and lung disorders, diabetes, and immune and infectious disorders. If you develop symptoms of these conditions, your doctor may have to discontinue treatment with Rebetol.

The risk of side effects is greater for individuals with poor kidney function. If you have this problem, your doctor will monitor you closely and adjust your dosage if necessary. Since many older adults have impaired kidney, liver, and heart function, the dosage of Rebetol is often decreased for these individuals.

The safety and effectiveness of Rebetol treatment have not been established for individuals with organ transplants, uncontrolled liver disease, and hepatitis B or HIV infections. Your doctor will have your liver function tested before you begin taking Rebetol.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Rebetol

If Rebetol is taken with other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Check with your doctor before combining Rebetol with other medications.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Rebetol may cause birth defects or death in the developing infant. Neither a woman nor her partner should take Rebetol while she is pregnant. Use two forms of contraception if either partner is taking Rebetol. Continue using two forms of contraception for 6 months after treatment is finished. If pregnancy occurs during Rebetol therapy or within 6 months afterwards, check with your doctor immediately.

It is not known whether Rebetol appears in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects on the nursing infant, you should not breastfeed your baby while taking Rebetol.