Interferon alfa-2B: Indication, Dosage, Side Effect, Precaution

This information is not country-specific. Please refer to the local prescribing information.

Generic Medicine Info

Indications and Dosage

Injection
Condyloma acuminata

Adult: Inject 1 million units into each lesion 3 times wkly for 3 wk; repeat after 12-16 wk as needed. Max: 5 lesions per treatment course.

Parenteral
Hairy cell leukaemia

Adult: 2 million units/m² IM/SC 3 times wkly for up to 6 mth or more.

Parenteral
Chronic hepatitis C

Adult: 3 million units IM/SC 3 times wkly for 6-12 mth (depending on genotype) when used with ribavirin, or for 6-18 mth (up to 24 mth) when used as monotherapy.

Parenteral
Chronic active hepatitis B

Adult: 5-10 million units IM/SC 3 times wkly for 4-6 mth, or 5 million units daily for 16 wk.

Parenteral
Melanoma

Adult: Initially, 20 million units/m² daily for 5 days each wk for 4 wk by IV infusion over 20 minutes. Maintenance: 10 million units/m² via SC inj 3 times wkly for 48 wk.

Parenteral
AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma

Adult: 30 million units/m² IM/SC 3 times wkly.

Subcutaneous
Chronic myeloid leukaemia

Adult: 4-5 million units/m² daily; continue at the max tolerated dose to maintain remission.

Subcutaneous
Carcinoid tumours

Adult: 3-9 million units (usually 5 million units) 3 times wkly. Advanced disease: 5 million units daily.

Subcutaneous
Follicular lymphoma

Adult: As an adjunct to chemotherapy: 5 million units 3 times wkly for 18 mth.

Subcutaneous
Multiple myeloma

Adult: Maintenance dose following chemotherapy induction: 3 million units/m² 3 times wkly.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity. Hepatic decompensation, autoimmune hepatitis or a history of autoimmune disease, immunosuppressed transplant recipients.

Special Precautions

History of pulmonary disease (e.g. COPD) or DM prone to ketoacidosis. Coagulation disorders or severe myelosuppression. Monitor patients with history of MI and/or arrhythmic disorders. Preexisting or history of psychiatric disorder, particularly depression. Poorly controlled thyroid abnormalities. Perform ophthalmological exam on patients with preexisting ophthalmologic disorders (e.g. diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy). Monitor WBC count in myelosuppressed patients and in those receiving other myelosuppressive agents. Preexisting psoriasis. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Pregnancy and lactation.

Adverse Reactions

Flu-like symptoms; alopecia; hypersensitivity reactions; nausea; anorexia; myelosuppression; lethargy; ocular side effects; depression; CV problems; nephrotoxicity; hypertriglyceridaemia; thyroid abnormalities; hyperglycaemia; psoriasiform rash; confusion; coma; seizures.
Potentially Fatal: Hepatotoxicity, pulmonary infiltrates, pneumonitis and pneumonia, autoimmune diseases.

Drug Interactions

Reduces clearance of theophylline. Enhanced myelosuppression with other myelosuppressive drugs (e.g. zidovudine).

Action

Description: Interferon alfa-2b binds to a specific cell surface protein. Once bound, it initiates a series of intracellular activities including induction of certain enzymes, suppression of cell proliferation, enhancement of phagocytic activity of macrophages, augmentation of cytotoxicity of lymphocytes for target cells, and inhibition of viral replication.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Peak plasma concentrations in 3-12 hr (IM/SC); 30 min (IV).
Excretion: Elimination half-life: 2-3 hr (IM/SC); 2 hr (IV).

Storage

Store at 2-8°C (36-46°F).

MIMS Class

Cancer Immunotherapy / Antivirals

Disclaimer: This information is independently developed by MIMS based on Interferon alfa-2B from various references and is provided for your reference only. Therapeutic uses, prescribing information and product availability may vary between countries. Please refer to MIMS Product Monographs for specific and locally approved prescribing information. Although great effort has been made to ensure content accuracy, MIMS shall not be held responsible or liable for any claims or damages arising from the use or misuse of the information contained herein, its contents or omissions, or otherwise. Copyright © 2021 MIMS. All rights reserved. Powered by MIMS.com