Informational only — Not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Shasthya স্বাস্থ্য · Health, made simple
বাং
Community data Updated 22 hours ago

Interferon Alfa-2a [Recombinant]

Immunological Chemotherapy Prescription
Check interactions
🌐 বাংলায় দেখুন

Indications

Cancer

Interferon Alfa-2a [Recombinant] is used to treat chronic hepatitis C and hairy cell leukemia in patients 18 years of age or older. It is also used for chronic phase, Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in patients who are minimally pretreated (within 1 year of diagnosis). For patients with chronic hepatitis C, Interferon Alfa-2a [Recombinant] is meant for those aged 18 years or older who have compensated liver disease. The diagnosis is made by HCV antibody and/or a history of exposure to hepatitis C. A liver biopsy and a serum test for antibody to HCV should be done to confirm chronic hepatitis C. Other causes of hepatitis, including hepatitis B, should be excluded before therapy with Interferon Alfa-2a [Recombinant] starts.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Interferon alfa-2a works against viruses and tumours, and it also acts on the immune system. It stops many RNA and DNA viruses from replicating. It has an antiproliferative effect too, which means it slows the growth of both normal and malignant cells. Interferon alfa-2a also lowers antibody formation by acting on B-lymphocytes, and it prevents delayed hypersensitivity from starting.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy category: Interferon Alfa-2a should be given only if the benefit to the woman justifies the possible risk to the foetus. Animal tests do not show that Roferon-A is a teratogen, but harm to the foetus from use during pregnancy can't be excluded. When pregnant rhesus monkeys were given doses far above the recommended clinical dose in the early to mid foetal period, an abortifacient effect was seen.

Nursing mothers: It is not known whether Interferon Alfa-2a is secreted in human milk. A decision has to be made whether to suspend breast-feeding or to stop the medicine, taking into account how important the medicine is to the mother.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: For renal cell carcinoma, Interferon Alfa-2a is given in escalating doses. Start with 3 million unit 3 times a week for 1 week, then 9 million unit 3 times a week for 1 week, and after that 18 million unit 3 times a week for 3 to 12 months. Chronic hepatitis B: 2.5 to 5 million unit/m2 3 times a week for 4 to 6 months. Chronic hepatitis C with ribavirin: 3 to 4.5 million unit 3 times a week for 6 months. As monotherapy, the dose is 3 million unit 3 times a week for 12 months. Hairy cell leukaemia: 3 million unit a day for 16 to 24 weeks. Maintenance is 3 million unit 3 times a week, for up to 24 weeks. AIDS related Kaposi's sarcoma: the dose is escalated, starting with 3 million unit a day for 3 days, then 9 million unit a day for 3 days, then 18 million unit a day for 3 days, and then 36 million unit a day (if tolerated) on days 10 to 84. After that, give the maximum tolerated dose (up to 36 million unit) 3 times a week. Chronic myeloid leukaemia: the dose is escalated, starting with 3 million unit a day for 3 days, then 6 million unit a day for 3 days, and 9 million unit a day after that. For responders after 12 weeks, continue treatment until the haematological response is complete or for up to 18 months. Follicular lymphoma, as an adjunct to chemotherapy: 6 million unit/m2/day on days 22 to 26 of each 28-day cycle. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: the dose is escalated, starting with 3 million unit a day for 3 days, then 9 million unit a day for 3 days, and then 18 million unit a day to complete 12 weeks of treatment. After that, responders get the maximum tolerated dose (up to 18 million unit) 3 times a week for at least 12 months. Melanoma: 3 million unit 3 times a week for 18 months. Start treatment no later than 6 weeks after surgery.

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

No side-effect data recorded yet.