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Your Prescription for
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Product Licence Holder/Manufacturer:
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The Wellcome Foundation Ltd., London, NW1 2BP.
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Please read this carefully before you start to use your medication.
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This leaflet contains important information about your treatment. If you have any doubts or questions or you are not sure about anything ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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What's in your medication
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The name of your medicine is Wellferon (containing human alpha-interferon). Interferon is used to help maintain your body’s defence mechanism against certain diseases. Wellferon comes in vials containing 3 and 10 megaunits of human alpha-lymphoblastoid interferon in tris-glycine buffered saline. Wellferon also contains Albumin Solution E.P
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KEEP YOUR MEDICATION AND ADMINISTRATION EQUIPMENT OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
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Before using your medication
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Ask these questions before using Wellferon.
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Have you previously experienced an allergic or bad reaction to Wellferon or another interferon?
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Have you recently taken, are you currently taking or are you likely to be taking any other medicines whilst you are using Wellferon?
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Are you asthmatic?
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Are you pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast-feeding?
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Do you suffer from heart, kidney, liver or central nervous system disease (eg: epilepsy?
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Do you suffer from, or have you ever suffered from mental disturbance?
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Do you suffer from any blood disorder?
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If the answer is YES to any of these questions, and if you have not already discussed them with your doctor, tell him before you use your medication.
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Using your medication
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It is important to use your medication at the right times. You must use it as directed by your doctor. The label will tell you how much to use and how often. If it doesn't or you are not sure, ask your doctor.
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The dosage is very variable and it may be changed from time to time by your doctor. If you are unsure or if the dosage on the label has changed for no apparent reason, consult your doctor. The length of time you stay on treatment will also vary.
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During your course of treatment your doctor will want you to have a blood test from time to time to check the blood cell count and to adjust the dosage if necessary.
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Do not drive or operate machinery while using this medication.
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Your doctor or nurse will have shown you how to inject your medication. If you are unsure of the procedure, check with your doctor or somebody at the clinic.
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The injection is given into the layer just below the surface of the skin. Injections can be given in the abdomen, upper arms, thighs or buttocks.
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Visible blood vessels should be avoided.
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Use a different site daily or for each injection.
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Make sure you keep a record of the site you have used, the Wellferon batch number and the date.
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After taking your medication
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This medication may cause side-effects, if any problems arise contact your doctor or somebody at the hospital.
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Some of the side-effects that might be expected, and what can be done to help them, are shown below:
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Common side-effects:
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Flu-like symptoms eg: chills, fever, malaise, muscle aches and headache.
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In order to minimise these symptoms inject your medication in the evening and your doctor may advise you to take paracetamol tablets. Drinking plenty of fluids also helps. Cold or luke warm baths or showers may help if you have a very high temperature. It is also a good idea to plan fewer activities and allow for a rest period on the day of your injection. Ask for help from family and friends, limit visitors and avoid stressful situations.
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Poor appetite - avoid foods that upset your stomach, select food you enjoy eating and make sure you eat at least 3 times a day
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Weight loss.
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Increased need for sleep.
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Psychological effects eg: irritability, anxiety and mild depression.
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Hair loss.
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Uncommon side-effects:
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Anaemia - leading to tiredness.
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Low white blood cell count leading to increased risk of infection. If you develop a sore throat or a lot of mouth ulcers then contact your doctor.
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Low blood platelet count leading to increased risk of bruising and bleeding eg: nose bleeds.
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In order to detect any of the above at an early stage your blood counts
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will be regularly checked at the clinic.
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Dizziness, feeling faint, racing heart (palpitations)
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Diarrhoea
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Unexplained swelling of hands, feet and/or face
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Blood in the urine or passing water less frequently
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Coldness of the fingers or toes If any of these or any other unusual effects occur, or if you begin to feel more unwell while taking Wellferon, contact your doctor.
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Storing your medication
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Keep your Wellferon in the refrigerator (2 - 8°C) Check the expiry date on your vial; if the Wellferon is past the expiry date, do not use it and consult your pharmacist.
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Take the vials out half an hour before your injection to bring the solution to room temperature.
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REMEMBER: This medication is for YOU Only a doctor can prescribe it
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for you. Never give it to others. It may harm them even if their
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Symptoms are the same as yours.
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Date last revised: May 1993
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Trade mark 0/562493.10
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