Injection Tips and Information

Important tips when starting ACTIMMUNE®

ACTIMMUNE should be taken 3 times a week at the same time each day ACTIMMUNE should be taken 3 times a week at the same time each day ACTIMMUNE should be taken 3 times a week at the same time each day

It should be taken
3 times a week, at the
same time each day.

ACTIMMUNE may be self-injected or injected by a caregiver ACTIMMUNE may be self-injected or injected by a caregiver ACTIMMUNE may be self-injected or injected by a caregiver

It may be self-injected
or given by a caregiver.

The injection site should be
rotated so that the skin has
time to heal.

ACTIMMUNE should be refrigerated but not frozen ACTIMMUNE should be refrigerated but not frozen ACTIMMUNE should be refrigerated but not frozen

It should be refrigerated
(not frozen).

It should not be left at room
temperature for longer than
12 hours.

Choosing an Injection Site

When injecting ACTIMMUNE® (Interferon gamma-1b), choose a site that’s padded by some fat below the skin. Look for places like the thighs, back of the upper arms, or abdomen (stomach area). You should also change the site with every injection. This gives the skin time to heal.

When injecting ACTIMMUNE, choose a site padded by fat below the skin such as your right arm, left arm, abdomen, left thigh or right thighWhen injecting ACTIMMUNE, choose a site padded by fat below the skin such as your right arm, left arm, abdomen, left thigh or right thighWhen injecting ACTIMMUNE, choose a site padded by fat below the skin such as your right arm, left arm, abdomen, left thigh or right thigh

IMPORTANT:

Don’t take ACTIMMUNE® until a healthcare professional has given you detailed instructions and shown you how.

Injection Training Is Part of Your Support Services

You may be nervous to give yourself or your loved one injections. Or maybe you just want to make sure you’re injecting correctly. Injection training is offered by a CGD Nurse Educator through the Clinical Nurse Educator Program. This program is available to all ACTIMMUNE® patients. Also, a full network of services and support will help with:

  • Getting ACTIMMUNE® delivered to you
  • Providing information to understand your coverage and co-pay assistance options
  • Scheduling needle and syringe pickup and disposal program
  • And much more

Discover all of the benefits of this support program.

*An infection is serious if you have to go to the hospital and get intravenous (IV) antibiotics.

Tips for Staying on Track With Your Treatment
ACTIMMUNE should be taken 3 times a week at the same time each day ACTIMMUNE should be taken 3 times a week at the same time each day

Stay on schedule: Take ACTIMMUNE® 3 times a week at the same time each day to get the best results. For example, if you choose Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 PM as your injection days and time, make sure this schedule stays the same over the next few months so that it becomes routine.

Take at bedtime: Consider taking ACTIMMUNE® just before going to bed. This can help with some of the flu-like side effects. Taking acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol®) may be helpful in preventing fever and headache.

Switch sites: Change the injection site every time, and use a different area on the body for each injection. Doing this helps the skin heal before the same site is used again. Also, it helps keep possible side effects to a minimum.

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Learn about online support groups available to people with CGD

Important Safety Information

What is ACTIMMUNE®  (Interferon gamma-1b) used for?

ACTIMMUNE® is part of a drug regimen used to treat Chronic Granulomatous Disease, or CGD. CGD is a genetic disorder, usually diagnosed in childhood, that affects some cells of the immune system and the body’s ability to fight infections effectively. CGD is often treated (though not cured) with antibiotics, antifungals, and ACTIMMUNE.

ACTIMMUNE is also used to slow the worsening of severe, malignant osteopetrosis (SMO). SMO is a genetic disorder that affects normal bone formation and is usually diagnosed in the first few months after birth.

When should I not take ACTIMMUNE?

Don’t use ACTIMMUNE if you are allergic to interferon-gamma,  E coli-derived products, or any ingredients contained in the product.

What warnings should I know about ACTIMMUNE?

At high doses, ACTIMMUNE can cause (flu-like) symptoms, which may worsen some pre-existing heart conditions.

ACTIMMUNE may cause decreased mental status, walking disturbances, and dizziness, particularly at very high doses. These symptoms are usually reversible within a few days upon dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy.

Bone marrow function may be suppressed with ACTIMMUNE, and decreased production of cells important to the body may occur. This effect, which can be severe, is usually reversible when the drug is discontinued or the dose is reduced.

Taking ACTIMMUNE may cause reversible changes to your liver function, particularly in patients less than 1 year old. Your doctor should monitor your liver function every 3 months, and monthly in children under 1 year.

In rare cases, ACTIMMUNE can cause severe allergic reactions and/or rash. If you experience a serious reaction to ACTIMMUNE, discontinue it immediately and contact your doctor or seek medical help.

What should I tell my healthcare provider?

Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.

Tell your doctor if you:

  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or plan to nurse
  • have a cardiac condition such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or decreased blood flow to your heart
  • have a history of seizures or other neurologic disorders
  • have, or have had, reduced bone marrow function. Your doctor will monitor these cells with blood tests at the beginning of therapy and at 3-month intervals on ACTIMMUNE therapy

What are the side effects of ACTIMMUNE?

The most common side effects with ACTIMMUNE are “flu-like” symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, or fatigue, which may decrease in severity as treatment continues. Bedtime administration of ACTIMMUNE may help reduce some of these symptoms. Acetaminophen may be helpful in preventing fever and headache.

What other medications might interact with ACTIMMUNE?

Some drugs may interact with ACTIMMUNE to potentially increase the risk of damage to your heart or nervous system, such as certain chemotherapy drugs. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking.

Avoid taking ACTIMMUNE at the same time as a vaccination.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit  www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call  1-800-FDA-1088.

The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about ACTIMMUNE with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. The FDA-approved product labeling can be found at http://www.ACTIMMUNE.com or 1-866-479-6742.

Important Safety Information

What is ACTIMMUNE®  (Interferon gamma-1b) used for?

ACTIMMUNE® is part of a drug regimen used to treat Chronic Granulomatous Disease, or CGD. CGD is a genetic disorder, usually diagnosed in childhood, that affects some cells of the immune system and the body’s ability to fight infections effectively. CGD is often treated (though not cured) with antibiotics, antifungals, and ACTIMMUNE.

ACTIMMUNE is also used to slow the worsening of severe, malignant osteopetrosis (SMO). SMO is a genetic disorder that affects normal bone formation and is usually diagnosed in the first few months after birth.

When should I not take ACTIMMUNE?

Don’t use ACTIMMUNE if you are allergic to interferon-gamma,  E coli-derived products, or any ingredients contained in the product.

What warnings should I know about ACTIMMUNE?

At high doses, ACTIMMUNE can cause (flu-like) symptoms, which may worsen some pre-existing heart conditions.

ACTIMMUNE may cause decreased mental status, walking disturbances, and dizziness, particularly at very high doses. These symptoms are usually reversible within a few days upon dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy.

Bone marrow function may be suppressed with ACTIMMUNE, and decreased production of cells important to the body may occur. This effect, which can be severe, is usually reversible when the drug is discontinued or the dose is reduced.

Taking ACTIMMUNE may cause reversible changes to your liver function, particularly in patients less than 1 year old. Your doctor should monitor your liver function every 3 months, and monthly in children under 1 year.

In rare cases, ACTIMMUNE can cause severe allergic reactions and/or rash. If you experience a serious reaction to ACTIMMUNE, discontinue it immediately and contact your doctor or seek medical help.

What should I tell my healthcare provider?

Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.

Tell your doctor if you:

  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or plan to nurse
  • have a cardiac condition such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or decreased blood flow to your heart
  • have a history of seizures or other neurologic disorders
  • have, or have had, reduced bone marrow function. Your doctor will monitor these cells with blood tests at the beginning of therapy and at 3-month intervals on ACTIMMUNE therapy

What are the side effects of ACTIMMUNE?

The most common side effects with ACTIMMUNE are “flu-like” symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, or fatigue, which may decrease in severity as treatment continues. Bedtime administration of ACTIMMUNE may help reduce some of these symptoms. Acetaminophen may be helpful in preventing fever and headache.

What other medications might interact with ACTIMMUNE?

Some drugs may interact with ACTIMMUNE to potentially increase the risk of damage to your heart or nervous system, such as certain chemotherapy drugs. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking.

Avoid taking ACTIMMUNE at the same time as a vaccination.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit  www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call  1-800-FDA-1088.

The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about ACTIMMUNE with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. The FDA-approved product labeling can be found at http://www.ACTIMMUNE.com or 1-866-479-6742.