Immukin®

Interferon gamma–1b

What you should know about
IMMUKIN
Vials for Injection

	

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine.  It contains a summary of the information available on your medicine.  The information in this leaflet applies to IMMUKIN only.  If after reading this you have any questions ask your doctor or pharmacist.

The name of your medicine is IMMUKIN Injection.  Each vial is for single use only and contains 100 micrograms of an active ingredient named recombinant human interferon-gamma-1b.  It also contains the following inactive ingredients:
mannitol, disodium succinate hexahydrate, polysorbate 20 and succinic acid.

IMMUKIN is available in packs of 6 vials

IMMUKIN is a medicine which works with your immune system to help your body fight infection.

The Product Licence / Authorisation for IMMUKIN is held by:
Boehringer Ingelheim Limited,
Ellesfield Avenue, Bracknell,
Berkshire RG12 8YS

and IMMUKlN is manufactured by
Genetech Inc.,
460 Point San Bruno Boulevard,
South San Francisco,
CA 94080, USA

How IMMUKIN helps you

IMMUKIN is used to help reduce infections in patients with diseases which affect the white blood cells.  Consult your doctor for further information.

Before you use your medicine:

Remember to tell your doctor or pharmacist if:

•	You are pregnant or likely to become pregnant.
	
•	You intend breast feeding.
	
•	You are taking any additional medicines (prescribed or bought) and particularly if you are considering vaccination.
	
•	You have had kidney or liver disease.
	
•	You have had fits or heart disease.

Do not use IMMUKIN if you have experienced an allergic reaction to it or a similar medicine.  Tell your doctor if you develop a rash

Do not give IMMUKIN to children who are less than 6 months old.

Do not use your IMMUKIN vial if you can see any particles in the liquid.

Do not mix IMMUKIN with other drugs in the same syringe.

Your doctor may want to perform regular blood tests to monitor your medical condition.

IMMUKIN may alter your ability to drive or operate machinery and this may be made worse by alcohol.

How to use your medicine	

Follow your doctor’s instructions about when and how to use your medicine. More detailed information is available in a booklet ‘Taking Care’, a guide for patients and carers who regularly administer IMMUKIN, which is available from your doctor

IMMUKIN is normally given three times a week on alternate days.  It is injected under the skin.  The dose is calculated according to body surface area as follows:

The usual recommended dose for patients with body surface areas greater than 0.5m2 is 50 mcg/m2.  A dose of 1 5 mcg/kg is recommended for patients whose body surface area is less than 0.5m2	Do not take more than the dose your doctor has prescribed.  If you think you have taken an overdose of IMMUKIN, tell your doctor

Throw away any unused medicine remaining in the vial.  It is important to use the injection immediately after the vial is opened.

Keep using your medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.	

What to do if you forget to use your medicine	How to store your medicine

If you remember more than 12 hours before the next dose is due: inject the missed dose when you remember and the next dose at the usual time.

It you remember less than 12 hours before the next dose is due: do not inject the missed dose.  Simply inject the next dose at the normal time

After injecting your medicine:

All medicines sometimes cause side effects

You may feel hot or cold and suffer headache, feelings of weakness, tiredness and nausea. These effects will decrease as your treatment continues.	IMMUKIN can cause vomiting, joint pain and tenderness at the site of injection, but these side effects only occur in very few patients

IMMUKIN can cause a rash, which will usually disappear without having to interrupt your treatment.

If you experience any other unusual or unexpected symptoms consult your doctor or pharmacist.	Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which you will find printed on the packaging.  Keep vials in a refrigerator (2-8ºC) and do not freeze.  Do not shake the vials vigorously.

Keep this medicine in a safe place where children cannot reach it.

REMEMBER this medicine is for you.  Only a doctor can prescribe it for you.  Never give it to others. It may harm them even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

This leaflet was issued in September 1994.