How does timing of interferon administration affect the occurrence of side-effects?
Robert Brown MD: Some people feel that the timing of the pegylated interferon administration can be used to ameliorate the side-effects. I think that this has to be very individualized. David Bernstein MD: In the group of patients that develop side-effects four to eight hours after taking the shot of pegylated interferon, it’s best to give it at night, if they work during the day. It’s probably best to recommend that patients take it on Friday if they work Monday through Friday so that if they’re having side-effects, they’re generally Saturdays and Sundays. Many patients will develop side-effects from a pegylated interferon injection 24 to 48 hours after therapy. That time course is not predictable, but it tends to repeat itself. Therefore, patients, after they’ve taken a few doses, can figure out when it’s best for them to give themselves the injection to minimize side-effects and interference with their lives.
