Flu-like symptoms. Most patients who take INTRON A have "flu-like" symptoms (headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and fever) that usually lessen after the first few weeks of therapy. You can reduce some of these symptoms by injecting your INTRON A dose at bedtime. Over-the-counter pain and fever medications can be used to prevent or reduce the fever and headache. If your fever does not go away you should tell your healthcare provider.
Extreme fatigue (tiredness). Many patients become extremely tired while on INTRON A.
Appetite problems. Nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss occur commonly.
Blood sugar problems. Some patients develop problems with the way their body controls their blood sugar and may develop high blood sugar or diabetes.
Skin reactions. Redness, swelling, and itching are common at the site of injection. If after several days these symptoms do not disappear, contact your healthcare provider. You may get a rash during therapy. If this occurs, your healthcare provider may recommend medicine to treat the rash.
Hair thinning. Hair thinning is common during INTRON A treatment. Hair loss stops and hair growth returns after therapy is stopped.
These are not all the side effects of INTRON A or INTRON A/REBETOL® combination therapy. Your healthcare provider can give you a more complete list.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1–800–FDA–1088.

General advice about prescription medicines

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. If you have any concerns about the INTRON A product, ask your healthcare provider. Your health care provider can give you additional information about INTRON A. Do not use INTRON A for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not share this medication with other people.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Manufactured by: Schering Corporation Kenilworth, NJ 07033 USA

Issued: August 2009

Copyright © 1996, 2001, 2004, Schering Corporation.
All rights reserved.
Rev. 8/09
B-XXXXXXXXT

Medication Guide Appendix: Instructions for Preparing and Giving a Dose of INTRON® A Solution for Injection

INTRON A medication has been supplied to you in a liquid form in a vial.
The INTRON® A Solution for Injection may be supplied to you as:

INTRON A Solution 18 million IU and 25 million IU multidose vial. These packages contain 1 vial of INTRON A solution. Syringes are not supplied to you. Talk to your healthcare provider about what syringes you should use.

Storing INTRON® A Solution for Injection

INTRON A Solution for Injection should be stored in the refrigerator between 2° and 8°C (36° and 46°F). DO NOT FREEZE. After using the 18 or 25 million IU multidose vials, discard any unused INTRON A solution remaining after one month.

Preparing a Dose of INTRON® A Solution for Injection

Find a well lit, clean, flat working surface such as a table. Collect the supplies you will need for an injection:
A vial of INTRON A solution
A syringe you have obtained for use with the multi-use vials.
A cotton ball or gauze
Two alcohol swabs
A puncture-proof disposable container
Before removing contents from the carton, chec