The drug "Interferon alfa"

The drug "Interferon alfa" is an antiviral immunomodulatory drug for local and external use. This is a mixture of several subtypes of alpha-interferon from blood leukocytes. The drug has antiviral, antiproliferative and immunostimulating effect.

The drug "Interferon alfa": instructions for use (indications, contraindications, dosage)

The drug is prescribed for parenteral use for such diseases as:

- hepatitis B and C;

- genital warts;

- multiple myeloma ;

- hairy cell leukemia;

- lymphoma;

- mushroom mycosis;

- renal carcinoma, etc.

Very often the drug is used rectally for the treatment of chronic or acute viral hepatitis. Intranasal is used to prevent and treat colds and flu.

"Interferon alfa" is contraindicated in people with severe organic heart diseases, expressed by impaired renal or hepatic function, epilepsy, impaired CNS functions, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. You can not take the drug also for those patients who suffer from chronic hepatitis, and receive treatment with various immunosuppressants (except SCS), people with thyroid gland diseases and with confirmed hypersensitivity to the main active substance of the drug (interferon alfa).

With regard to dosage, the dose, frequency of application and its duration are set individually. All these factors are directly influenced by such factors as the degree of the disease, the indications, the mode of administration and the individual reaction of the patient.

The drug "Interferon alfa": instructions for use (side effects, drug interactions and special instructions)

When parenteral drug use, side effects occur more often than with other methods of administration. There may be various influenza-like phenomena (headache, fever, weakness), as well as digestive disorders (nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea); Cardiovascular system (arrhythmia, arterial hypotension); CNS (impaired consciousness, drowsiness, ataxia). Less often after treatment with the drug "Interferon alfa" skin reactions (dry skin, alopecia, skin rash, erythema) can manifest.

If we are talking about drug interaction with other drugs, it should be noted that interferons tend to inhibit oxidative metabolism in the liver, so biotransformation of drugs that are metabolized in this way can be disrupted. It is not recommended to use "Interferon alfa" together with ACE inhibitors, because synergism is possible with regard to hematotoxic action, as well as with paracetamol (the activity of liver enzymes may increase).

During pregnancy, the drug can be used only on the advice of a doctor, and only if the possible benefits for women exceed the likely risk for the child.

Very carefully the drug is used by people who happened to suffer a myocardial infarction. In elderly people, there may be side effects from the central nervous system. In such cases, treatment is usually stopped.

Patients with hepatitis C who receive therapy with Interferon alfa may notice thyroid dysfunction, which is expressed in hyper- or hypothyroidism. So, before starting a course of treatment, it is necessary to determine the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood and to start using the drug only in case of a normal hormone content in the blood serum.

Attention! This instruction is provided for familiarization with the drug. Before taking it, consult a doctor who will individually determine the necessary doses and the duration of treatment. Carefully read the manufacturer's annotation.