Monograph Details
|
|
Immune System
> Immunomodulators
|
|
INFERGEN |
| Manufacturer |
|
Three Rivers Pharmaceuticals, LLC |
| Legal Classification |
|
Rx
|
| Generic Name |
|
Interferon alfacon-1 9micrograms, 15micrograms; per vial; liq for SC inj; preservative-free. |
| Indications |
|
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with compensated liver disease who have anti-HCV serum antibodies +/or the presence of HCV RNA. |
| Children |
|
<18 yrs: not recommended. |
| Adults |
|
>18 yrs: 9micrograms SC three times per week (at least 48 hrs apart) for 24 weeks. May withhold or reduce dose to 7.5micrograms if intolerable adverse event occurs. If tolerated and unresponsive or relapsed, may give 15micrograms SC three times per week for 6 months; may reduce in increments of 3micrograms. |
| Contraindications |
|
Hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived products. |
| Precautions |
|
Use only under supervision of qualified physician. Do not interchange brands. Exclude other causes of hepatitis. Use effective contraception in both males and females. Cardiac disease. Severe psychiatric disorders or decompensated liver disease: not recommended (discontinue if either occurs). Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, other myelosuppressed conditions; withhold if ANC or if platelet levels severely decrease (see literature). Endocrine disorders. Do pretreatment eye exam in diabetics and hypertensives. Refer if visual disturbances occur. Autoimmune disorders. Monitor lab values (blood counts, TSH and T4, creatinine, albumin, triglycerides, bilirubin) before, two weeks after starting, and periodically during therapy. Pregnancy (Cat.C): not recommended. Nursing mothers. |
| Interactions |
|
Caution with other myelosuppressives and with agents metabolized by CYP450. |
| Adverse Reactions |
|
Flu-like symptoms, pain, edema, psychiatric/CNS effects (e.g., depression, insomnia, dizziness), local reactions, GI upset, cardiac or upper respiratory effects, rash, alopecia, pruritus, visual or lab abnormalities. |
| How Supplied |
|
Single-dose vials—6 |
| Additional Resources |
|
• Related Prescribing Note |
|
|
|
|
