What is it used for?
- Cancer of the blood, characterised by an increased number of granulocytes in the blood (chronic myeloid leukaemia - CML)
- Cancer of the lymph nodes (lymphoma)
- Hairy cell leukemia
- Hepatitis B or C
- Kaposi's sarcoma (a form of skin cancer)
- Kidney cancer
- Skin cancer
How does it work?
This injection contains interferon alfa-2b. It is produced by recombinant DNA techniques.
Interferons are a family of small protein molecules that are produced and secreted by cells in response to viral infections or various synthetic and biological inducers. Three major classes of interferons have ben identified: alfa, beta and gamma. They work in a complicated way that is not fully understood, but are thought to boost the immune system, causing it to attack infected or cancerous cells. Interferons can be used to treat a range of diseases. Interferon alfa can be used in the treatment of leukemias, lymphomas, other types of cancers (skin, kidney and bone), hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Interferon alfa can cause some serious side effects (see below) which worsen with increased dose. Frequent blood tests are needed to monitor the interferon's effect on blood composition and liver function.
- This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.
- Effective contraceptive measures are required whilst taking this medicine.
Use with caution in
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
Not to be used in
- Disorders of the bone marrow
- Heart disease
- Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient
- Severe kidney disease
- Severe liver disease
- Uncontrolled epilepsy
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine should be used with caution by breastfeeding mothers, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
- Changes in mood
- Blood disorders
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- Visual disturbances
- Seizures (convulsions)
- Damage to the liver
- Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo)
- Disturbances in behaviour
- Cold or flu-like symptoms
- Damage to the kidneys
- Loss of appetite
- Damage to the heart (cardiotoxicity)
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Skin disorders
- Heart problems such as irregular heart beats and fluid retention
- Local pain and swelling at the site of injection
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
Interferon alfa may increase the effects of theophylline.
Other medicines containing the same active ingredient