What and where: PEGASYS—a pegylated form of interferon alfa-2a—is the most prescribed medication of its kind. PEGASYS alone or in combination with COPEGUS® (Ribavirin, USP), is indicated for the treatment of adults with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who have compensated liver disease and have not been previously treated with interferon alpha. Patients in whom efficacy was demonstrated included patients with compensated liver disease and histological evidence of cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class A) and patients with HIV disease that is clinically stable (eg, antiretroviral therapy not required or receiving stable antiretroviral therapy).
PEGASYS is also indicated for the treatment of adult patients with HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B who have compensated liver disease and evidence of viral replication and liver inflammation.
A branched, pegylation technology: PEGASYS utilizes a 40 kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG) strand to allow for stable therapeutic serum levels of interferon alfa-2a for up to a full week (168 hours) with a single dose. The pegylated structure of the PEG moiety directly affects the pharmacokinetic properties of PEGASYS.
Achieving sustained viral response: In clinical trials versus Rebetron®* (Interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin), combination therapy with PEGASYS and COPEGUS demonstrated significant efficacy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Tolerability-minded: Most patients can complete a course of therapy with PEGASYS. In PEGASYS and COPEGUS combination trials, the most frequently reported adverse events were similar to those seen with Rebetron® (Interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin).
Dosing determined by genotype: PEGASYS is packaged as a ready-to-use solution in a single-dose vial or as a convenience pack containing 4 single-dose prefilled syringes. The recommended dose of PEGASYS is 180 µg once-weekly regardless of patient weight. The COPEGUS dose—and the duration of therapy—can be tailored by patient genotype:
For genotype 1, 4 patients: 180 µg PEGASYS qw plus 1000-1200 mg/day COPEGUS for 48 weeks. The exact COPEGUS dose depends upon patient weight. For patients <75 kg, 1000 mg/day of COPEGUS is recommended; for patients ≥75 kg, 1200 mg/day of COPEGUS is recommended.
For genotype 2, 3 patients: 180 µg PEGASYS qw plus 800 mg/day COPEGUS for 24 weeks.
Comprehensive treatment support: Further enhancing the benefits of PEGASYS is the comprehensive Pegassist® Hep C Support Program. Through Pegassist and Pegassist.com, Roche is proud to provide the support you and your patients need to achieve positive outcomes with PEGASYS:
- A 24/7 nurse hotline to answer questions about treatment, with translation available in 150 languages
- One-on-one Nurse Care Coordinators to give patients individualized support, with regularly scheduled telephone calls throughout therapy
- Educational materials available to help you support patients throughout treatment and aid them in addressing their side effects
- The Roche Patient Assistance program with reimbursement case managers to discuss prescription benefit coverage with patients and determine eligibility for the program, which provides free PEGASYS and COPEGUS to qualified patients.
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