Preparation and Injection of Peg-Intron
Alpha-interferons, like Peg-Intron, are giving by injection. For most people, the idea of giving themselves an injection can frighten or make them anxious. However, most people quickly become comfortable with the self-injections and their initial fears are relieved once they see how easy it is and that the injection does not hurt. There are several steps to remember to properly prepare and inject the medicine. It is important that you are comfortable with this information to make sure that the right amount of medicine is given and minimize problems from occurring.
With Peg-Intron you will give yourself an injection once a week. Make sure to give yourself the injection on the same day of each week. For each injection, you will receive a vial of powder Peg-Intron medicine, a vial of sterile water, two syringes, and two alcohol swabs. Your healthcare provider will let you know the amount of medicine that you should take based on your weight. The syringes already have a small needle attached to it and are designed to be used once and thrown away. The needle also has a protective sleeve to prevent accidental needle stick. If the needle accidentally stuck someone, they could become infected with the hepatitis C virus. Let's look at the preparation process in a little more detail.
