Interferon's

Background
Interferons are a family of proteins, produced by nucleated cells, that have anti-viral, anti-proliferative, and immune-regulating activity. There are 16 known subtypes of alpha interferons. Interferons interact with cells through high affinity cell surface receptors. Multiple effects have been detected: inhibition of cellular growth, alteration in surface antigen expression, increased phagocytic activity of macrophages, augmentation of cytotoxicity of lymphocytes for target cells.

Interferon Alfa-2A (Roferon-A):
Indications: Patients> 18 years old: hairy cell leukemia, Kaposi's Sarcoma, chronic hepatitis C, adjuvant treatment to surgery for malignant Melanoma; multiple unlabeled uses.
Dosing (Adults): hairy cell leukemia: Induction: 3 mu/day IM/SC x 16-24 weeks. Maintenance: 3 million units 3 times/week.
Kaposi's sarcoma: induction: 36 million units/day x 10-12 weeks. Maint: 36 million units 3x/week.

[Supplied: 3 mu (1 ml); 6 mu/ml (3ml); 9 mu/ml (0.9ml, 3 ml); 36 mu/ml (1 ml)] note: mu=million units.

Interferon Alfa-2b (Intron-A):

Indications: Hairy cell leukemia (>18 years old), condylomata acuminata, AID's releate kaposi's sarcoma, chronic (non-A, non-B) hepatitis C, and hepatitis B.

Dosing (Adults): 
Leukemia: 2 mu/M2 IM/SC 3x/week fro 2-6 months.
Kaposi sarcoma: 30 mu/M2 IM/SC 3x/week.
Condylomata: 1 mu/lesion 3 x/week x 4-8 weeks. Chronic hepatitis C: 3 mu IM/SC 3x/week x 6 months.
Chronic hepatitis B: 5 mu/day or 10mu 3x/week for 16 weeks.

[Supplied: 3 mu (0.5ml); 5 mu (0.5ml); 10mu (1 ml); 25 mu. Powder for inj: 18mu and 50 mu). Refrigerate. Note: mu= million units.

Interferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin combo Pack (Rebetron)
Indications: chronic Hepatitis C in patients with compensated liver disease who have relapsed after alpha interferon treatment.

Dosing (Adults): Intron A: 3 mu SC 3 times per week and Ribavirin 500-600mg twice daily x 24 weeks. Patients <75kg: 400mg every morning and 600mg orally every evening.
Patients > 75kg: 600mg every morning and evening.

Interferon Alfa-N3 (Alferon N):  
Indications: interlesional treatment of condylomata acuminata (recurring or refractory cases ). 
Dosing (Adults):  250,000 units (0.05 ml) in each wart twice weekly to a maximum of 8 weeks. [5 million units (1 ml)]

Interferon Beta-1A (Avonex):

Indications: Treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
MOA: interferon beta differs from naturally occurring human protein by 1 amino acid. Mechanism of action in multiple sclerosis is unknown.

Dosing (Adults): 30 mcg IM once weekly. (reconstitute with 1.1 ml of diluent; refrigerate).

Interferon Beta-1B (Betaseron):

Reduces the frequency of clinical exacerbations in ambulatory patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Dosing (Adults): 0.25 mg (8 million units) SC every other day.

Supplied: 0.3 mg (9.6 million units).
 

Disclaimer
Listed dosages are for - Adult patients ONLY. PLEASE READ THE DISCLAIMER CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCESSING OR USING THIS SITE. BY ACCESSING OR USING THIS SITE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE DISCLAIMER. GlobalRPH does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or provide medical services and therefore assumes no liability whatsoever of any kind for the information and data accessed through the Service or for any diagnosis or treatment made in reliance thereon.

David F. McAuley, Pharm.D., R.Ph.  GlobalRPh Inc.

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