Monograph Details
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Immune System
> Immunomodulators
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INTRON A SOLN |
| Manufacturer |
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Schering Corporation |
| Legal Classification |
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Rx
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| Generic Name |
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Interferon alfa-2b, recombinant; 10million IU, 18millionIU, 25million IU; per vial; for inj; contains m-cresol. |
| Also |
• INTRON A
• INTRON A SOLN MULTIDOSE PENS
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| Indications |
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Genital warts. Chronic hepatitis C. Chronic hepatitis B. AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. Hairy cell leukemia. Malignant melanoma. Follicular lymphoma. |
| Children |
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<1yr: not recommended. Use appropriate preparation and route: see literature. ≥1yr of age for chronic hepatitis B: 3million IU/m2 SC three times weekly for 1 week, then increase to 6million IU/m2 (max 10million IU) three times weekly for a total of 16–24 weeks; reduce dose by ½ or interrupt dose if WBCs, granulocytes or platelet counts decrease. <18yrs of age, for other uses: not recommended. |
| Adults |
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Use appropriate preparation and route: see literature. Use SC route if platelets <50,000/mm3. Genital warts: Inject intralesionally 1million IU/lesion 3 times weekly on alternate days for 3 wks; treat up to 5 lesions at one time. May repeat treatment as above after 12–16 wks. Hepatitis C: 3million IU IM or SC three times weekly for 16 wks; if tolerated with normalization of ALT, continue to 18–24 months (72–96 wks). Hepatitis B: 5million IU daily or 10million IU IM or SC three times weekly for 16 wks; reduce dose by ½ or interrupt dose if WBCs, granulocyte or platelet count decreases. Kaposi's sarcoma: 30million IU/m2 IM or SC three times weekly; continue until rapid disease progression or maximal response achieved after 16 wks; reduce dose by ½ or suspend therapy if severe adverse reactions occur; discontinue if persists. Leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma: see literature. |
| Contraindications |
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Hepatitis: decompensated liver disease. Autoimmune disorders. |
| Precautions |
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May cause or exacerbate fatal or life-threatening neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic, or infectious disorders: monitor closely, discontinue if they worsen. Severe psychiatric disorders (esp. depression). Cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. Severe myelosuppression. Uncontrolled thyroid abnormalities. Diabetes. Coagulation disorders. Maintain adequate hydration. Monitor blood, thyroid, visual and liver function before and during therapy; EKG in cardiovascular disease and cancer patients. Psoriasis. Renal dysfunction. Transplant recipients. Elderly. Debilitated. Pregnancy (Cat.C). Nursing mothers: not recommended. |
| Interactions |
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Caution with myelosuppressives, and drugs that can exacerbate depression. May potentiate theophylline (may double its levels). |
| Adverse Reactions |
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Flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, myalgia, fatigue); hepatic, hematologic, respiratory, skin, genitourinary system, CNS, cardiovascular, endocrine (esp thyroid), GI, or visual disorders; colitis, hypertriglyceridemia, pancreatitis, infections, injection site reactions; others (see literature). |
| How Supplied |
Pwd (w. diluent): 10million, 18million, 50million IU/vial—1
Soln (vials): 10million IU/vial—6 (kit w. supplies)
Soln (multidose vials): 18million, 25million IU/vial—1
Soln (multidose pens, 6 doses/pen): 3million IU/0.2mL, 5million IU/0.2mL, 10million IU/0.2mL—1 |
| Additional Resources |
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• Related Prescribing Note |
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