Dangerous Drug: Interferon Alfa-2b (IFN-a2, rIFN-a2, a-2-Interferon)(in ter feer’ on)
Intron-A
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Antineoplastic
Immunomodulator
Interferon
Therapeutic Actions
Inhibits growth of tumor cells; mechanism of action is not clearly understood; prevents the replication of tumor cells and enhances host immune response. Interferons are produced by human leukocytes in response to viral infections and other stimuli. Interferon alfa-2b is produced by recombinant DNA technology using Escherichia coli.
Indications
Hairy cell leukemia in patients 18 yr and older
Intralesional treatment of condylomata acuminata in patients 18 yr and older
AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma in patients 18 yr and older
Adjunct to surgical treatment of malignant melanoma in patients older than 18 yr who are free of disease, but at high risk of recurrence with 56 days of surgery
Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients 18 yr and older
Treatment of chronic hepatitis B in patients 1 yr and older
Follicular lymphoma, as initial treatment of clinically aggressive follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma with other chemotherapy in patient 18 yr and older
Orphan drug uses: CML, metastatic renal cell carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, invasive carcinoma of cervix, primary malignant brain tumors, laryngeal papillomatosis, carcinoma in situ of urinary bladder, chronic delta hepatitis, acute hepatitis B
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with allergy to interferon-alfa or any components of the product, severe hepatic impairment.
Use cautiously with cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus prone to ketoacidosis, coagulation disorders, bone marrow depression, pregnancy, neuropsychiatric disorders, autoimmune diseases, lactation.
Available Forms
Powder for injection—10, 18, 50 million international units/vial; solution for injection—18, 25 million international units/vial; injection—3, 5, 10 million international units/dose (in multidose pens)
Dosages
Adults
Hairy cell leukemia: 2 million international units/m2 subcutaneously or IM three times/wk for up to 6 mo. Continue for several months, depending on clinical and hematologic response. Patient with platelet count less than 50,000/mm3 should not receive IM injection.
Condylomata acuminata: 1 million international units/lesion three times/wk for 3 wk intralesionally. Maximum response
occurs 4–8 wk after initiation of therapy. Up to five lesions can be treated at one time. May repeat course at 12–16 wk.
Chronic hepatitis C: 3 million international units subcutaneously or IM, three times/wk for 18–24 mo.
AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma: 30 million international units/m2 three times/wk subcutaneously or IM. Maintain dosage until disease progresses rapidly or severe intolerance occurs. Do not use the multidose pens or multidose vials due to inappropriate concentration.
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