Drug reference

Interferon alfa

Antiviral · Antiviral; Hepatitis Treatment

Also known as Interferon alfa-2a, Interferon alfa-2b

AntiviralAntiviral; Hepatitis Treatment

CDSCO approvedSchedule H

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

12 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

(see Useful

FDA category + note

Top interactionssee all 12 →

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Mechanism

Interferon alfas are virustatic agents, active only against replicating viruses; they do not affect latent viruses. Their mechanism of action is speculated to involve multiple sites of action within the viral life cycle, inhibiting viral replication.

Indications

Chronic hepatitis BAcute hepatitis C (unlicensed indication)Chronic hepatitis C (in combination with ribavirin for patients who have not responded to interferon monotherapy)

Dosing

Adult: in decompensated liver disease, but low doses can be used with great caution in these patients. Although interferon alfa is contra-indicated in patients receiving immunosuppressant treatment (or who have received it recently), cautious use of peginterferon alfa-2a may be justiﬁed in some cases. Entecavir p. 658 or tenofovir disoproxil p.…

Pharmacokinetics

Bioavailability

I-SC: 90%

Protein binding

—

Excretion

—

Contraindications

Decompensated liver disease
Patients receiving immunosuppressant treatment (or who have received it recently)
Cirrhotic chronic hepatitis C patients with HIV coinfection receiving HAART (with interferon alfa-2a)
Concomitant use with azathioprine (increased risk of pancytopenia)

Side effects

Common

AnemiaInsomniaDepressionIrritabilitySuicidal behaviorTinnitusHearing lossVertigoSevere hypertriglyceridemiaHomicidal ideation

Serious

Suicidal ideation or attempts (more frequently among adolescents compared to adults)
Pancytopenia (in combination with azathioprine)
Increased risk for hepatic decompensation (in cirrhotic chronic hepatitis C patients or with HIV coinfection receiving HAART with interferon alfa-2a)
Growth inhibition (delays in weight and height increases observed in children 5-17 years old receiving combination therapy)