Peginterferon alfa-2b Subcutaneous and Pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine

• Generic Name: peginterferon alfa-2b
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: PegIntron, Sylatron, PegIntron Redipen

Peginterferon alfa-2b injection is a synthetic (man-made) version of substances normally produced in the body to fight infection. Peginterferon alfa-2b injection is used alone or together with ribavirin and another drug called a hepatitic C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitor (such as telaprevir or boceprevir) to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. It is used for patients who have never been treated by alpha interferons. The combination treatment of peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin is used to treat adults and children 3 years of age and older who show symptoms of liver damage.

Peginterferon alfa-2b injection is also used to prevent malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer) from coming back after it has been removed by surgery. Peginterferon alfa-2b should be started within 84 days of surgery to remove lymph nodes containing cancer.

Peginterferon alfa-2b is available only with your doctor's prescription.

• Generic Name: pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Prevnar 13

Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection caused by a bacteria. Pneumococcal bacteria can infect the sinuses and inner ear. It can also infect the lungs, blood, and brain, and these conditions can be fatal.

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by pneumococcal bacteria. This vaccine contains 13 different types of pneumococcal bacteria.

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine works by exposing you to a small amount of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine is for use in children from 6 weeks to 5 years old, and in adults who are 50 and older.

Becoming infected with pneumococcal disease (such as pneumonia or meningitis) is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Like any vaccine, pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.