Interferon alfacon-1
Interferon alfacon-1 (Infergen)
Interferon alfacon-1
(in-ter- FEER-on AL-fah-kon)
Pregnancy Category: C Infergen (Rx)

Classification: Drug for chronic hepatitis

See Also: See also Interferon alfa-2a and Interferon alfa-2b.

Action/Kinetics: Prepared by recombinant technology. Has antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory effects. Plasma levels are too small to measure.

Uses: Treatment of chronic hepatitis C infections in those over 18 years of age with compensated liver disease. Investigational: With G-CSF therapy to treat hairy-cell leukemia.

Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to alpha interferons or to products derived from E. coli. Use in autoimmune hepatitis or in decompensated hepatic disease.

Special Concerns: Use with caution during lactation and in preexisting cardiac disease, in depression, in those with abnormally low peripheral blood cell counts, in those receiving myelosuppressive agents, and in autoimmune disorder. Safety and efficacy have not been determined in children less than 18 years of age.

Side Effects: Flu-like symptoms: Headache, fatigue, fever, myalgia, rigors, arthralgia, increased sweating. Body as a whole: Body pain, hot flushes, non-cardiac chest pain, malaise, asthenia, peripheral edema, access pain, allergic reactions, weight loss. Hypersensitivity: Urticaria, angioedema, bronchoconstriction, anaphylaxis. CNS: Insomnia, dizziness, paresthesia, amnesia, hypoesthesia, hypertonia, nervousness, depression, anxiety, emotional lability, abnormal thinking, agitation, decreased libido. GI: Abdominal pain, N&V;, diarrhea, anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, flatulence, toothache, hemorrhoids, decreased saliva, tender liver. CV: Hypertension, palpitation. Hematologic: Granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, ecchymosis, lymphadenopathy, lymphocytosis. Respiratory: Pharyngitis, URI, cough, sinusitis, rhinitis, respiratory tract congestion, upper respiratory tract congestion, epistaxis, dyspnea, bronchitis. Dermatologic: Alopecia, pruritus, rash, erythema, dry skin. Musculoskeletal: Back, limb, neck, or skeletal pain. GU: Dysmenorrhea, vaginitis, menstrual disorder. Ophthalmic: Conjunctivitis, eye pain. Otic: Tinnitus, earache.

Laboratory Test Alterations: TSH, triglycerides. H&H.; Abnormal thyroid tests.

How Supplied: Injection: 9 mcg, 15 mcg; Prefilled syringes: 9 mcg, 15 mcg

Dosage
?SC Injection Chronic hepatitis C infection.
Adults over 18 years of age: 9 mcg SC as a single injection three times a week for 24 weeks. At least 48 hr should elapse between doses. Those who tolerate therapy but did not respond or relapsed following discontinuation may be subsequently treated with 15 mcg three times a week for 6 months.