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Interferon alfa
Aka: Interferon alfa, Interferon-alfa
- Mechanism
- Inhibits viral replication in virus infected cells
- Indications
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis B
- Dosing
- Dose: 3 MU SQ three times per week for 6-12 months
- Efficacy
- Sustained response in 10-30% of cases
- Improved response rates with:
- Low levels of Viremia
- Absence of Cirrhosis
- Absence of Hepatitis CGenotype Ib
- Early response to Interferon
- Low total body iron
- Synergistic effect when combined with Ribavirin
- Adverse Effects
- Transient Flu-like symptoms (>50%)
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Myalgia
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Initial: Decreased cell lines
- Decreased Granulocytes
- Thrombocytopenia
- Later
- Fatigue
- Major Depression
- Alopecia
- Rash
- Retinal Hemorrhages
- Autoimmune Thyroid disease
- Management of adverse effects
- Initial flu-like symptoms
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Hemolytic Anemia
- Decrease dosage or discontinue Interferon
- Monitoring: Discontinue Interferon criteria
- Liver Function Tests not normalized by 12 weeks
- References
- Lau (1997) Gastroenterology 113:1660-7 [PubMed]
- (1999) Med Lett Drugs Ther 41(1054):53-4 [PubMed]