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REDIPEN™:
Health Care Professionals
As a health care professional, you may
have heard about Schering Corporation's
PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ and have a few
specific questions. The topics below may
be helpful in explaining the benefits of
REDIPEN™ treatment for your patients
and their loved ones. |
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 Can my patients use the REDIPEN™ in place of PEG-INTRON® vials?
How is the PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ different from a syringe?
Is there any difference in the medication used in the REDIPEN™ vs. the vial?
Can I still offer my patients individualized dosing with the REDIPEN™?
Can patients currently being treated with PEG-INTRON® by vial and syringe be changed to the REDIPEN™?
Are some doctors going to prescribe the PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ while others prescribe vials and syringes?
Are the NDC numbers for the PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ and vials different?
Are there cost issues associated with the REDIPEN™?
When was the PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ approved in the United States?
Q: Can my patients use the REDIPEN™ in place of PEG-INTRON® vials?
A: The PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ contains the same medication as the PEG-INTRON vial. Health care providers can use the PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ in place of the PEG-INTRON vial and syringe.
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Q: How is the PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ different from a syringe?
A: The REDIPEN™ is not a traditional syringe. It is the first and only pen delivery system approved for administering pegylated interferon.
The REDIPEN™ is designed to be patient-friendly, with advanced features such as an easy-to-read dial-up dosing button for precise, individualized, weight-based dosing of PEG-INTRON®, a self-priming action that automatically removes air bubbles from the pen and a small needle size (30-gauge) to help minimize discomfort.
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Q: Is there any difference in the medication used in the REDIPEN™ vs. the vial?
A: No. The PEG-INTRON® in the REDIPEN™ and the vials is the same formulation.
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Q: Can I still offer my patients individualized dosing with the REDIPEN™?
A: Yes. The PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ is available in four different dosage strengths - 50 mcg, 80 mcg, 120 mcg, and 150 mcg. Patients of all sizes can be given the appropriate dose of PEG-INTRON® with an injection volume of 0.4 or 0.5 mL.
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Q: Can patients currently being treated with PEG-INTRON® by vial and syringe be changed to the REDIPEN™?
A: Yes. Health care providers can choose to change patients from the PEG-INTRON vial and syringe to the REDIPEN™.
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Q: Are some doctors going to prescribe the PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ while others prescribe vials and syringes?
A: Based on Schering Corporation's previous experience, it is likely that most future PEG-INTRON prescriptions will be for the REDIPEN™. In the meantime, however, there may be some patients who are currently on PEG-INTRON therapy using the vial and syringe system and, in consultation with their doctor, decide not to change to the REDIPEN™.
Based on Schering Corporation's previous experience with the INTRON A pen for hepatitis C, we anticipate that the PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ will become the preferred delivery system and account for the majority of new PEG-INTRON prescriptions.
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Q: Are the NDC numbers for the PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ and vials different?
A: Yes. Each of the four REDIPEN™ products - 50mcg, 80 mcg, 120 mcg, and 150 mcg - has its own NDC number.
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Q: Are there cost issues associated with the REDIPEN™?
A: Schering Corporation has priced the PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ the same as for the equivalent strength PEG-INTRON vial. However, if your patients have concerns about financial issues associated with treatment, inform them that they may be eligible for Schering Corporation's reimbursement assistance program, COMMITMENT TO CARE®. Learn more about Schering Corporation's support programs.
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Q: When was the PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ approved in the United States?
A: PEG-INTRON® REDIPEN™ was approved by the U.S Food Drug Administration (FDA) on October 10, 2003.
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