The Brand Name ALFERON Has Generic Salt :: Interferon 

ALFERON  Is From Company Zydus Priced :: Rs. 1190

ALFERON have Interferon is comes under Sub class #N/A of  Main Class #N/A

Main Medicine Class:: #N/A  Sub Medicine Class :: #N/A 

Indications for Drugs ::

Renal cell carcinoma, Chronic hepatitis B, Chronic hepatitis C, Hairy cell leukaemia, AIDS related Kaposi’s sarcoma, Chronic myeloid leukaemia, Follicular lymphoma, Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Melanoma

Drug Dose ::

Adult: SC Renal cell carcinoma In an escalating dose of 3 million u 3 times/wk for 1 wk, then 9 million u 3 times/wk for 1 wk, then 18 million u 3 times/wk thereafter for 3-12 mth. Chronic hepatitis B 2.5-5 million u/m2 3 times/wk for 4-6 mth. Chronic hepatitis C W/ ribavirin: 3-4.5 million u 3 times/wk for 6 mth. Monotherapy: 3 million u 3 times/wk for 12 mth. Hairy cell leukaemia 3 million u/day for 16-24 wk. Maintenance: 3 million u 3 times/wk, up to 24 wk. AIDS related Kaposi’s sarcoma In an escalating dose of 3 million u/day for 3 days, 9 million u/day for 3 days, 18 million u/day for 3 days, and 36 million u/day (if tolerated) on days 10-84. thereafter max tolerated dose (up to 36 million u) 3 times/wk. Chronic myeloid leukaemia In an escalating dose of 3 million u/day for 3 days, 6 million u/day for 3 days, and 9 million u/day thereafter. For responders after 12 wk: Continue treatment until haematological response is complete or up to 18 mth. Follicular lymphoma As adjunct to chemotherapy: 6 million u/ m2/day on days 22-26 of each 28-day cycle. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma In an escalating dose of 3 million u/day for 3 days, then 9 million u/day for 3 days, and then 18 million u/day to complete 12 wk of treatment. Thereafter, max tolerated dose (up to 18 million u) 3 times/wk for at least 12 mth in responders. Melanoma 3 million u 3 times/wk for 18 mth. Start treatment no later than 6 wk after surgery.

Contraindication ::

Hypersensitivity. Autoimmune hepatitis, hepatic decompensation.

Drug Precautions ::

History of depression (monitor for signs). Perform regular neuropsychiatric monitoring. Seizure disorders and/or compromised CNS function. Preexisting or any history of cardiac disease. Monitor CBC prior to and during therapy. Myelosuppression or concurrent use of myelosuppressive drugs. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, DM. Perform ophthalmological exam on patients with preexisting ophthalmologic disorders (e.g. diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy). Monitor patients with impaired renal function. Creatinine clearance <50 ml/min. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Pregnancy and lactation. Drug Side Effects ::

Depressive illness, suicidal behaviour, irritability, insomnia, anxiety. Flu-like symptoms. Headache, dizziness, paraesthesia, confusion, impaired concentration, alteration in taste or smell. GI disturbances. Dryness of oropharynx, epistaxis, rhinitis, arrhythmia, sinusitis. Inj site reaction, alopecia, rash, dry skin or pruritus. Conjunctivitis, menstrual irregularity, visual disturbances. Coughing, dyspnoea. Myalgia, joint or bone pain, arthritis or polyarthritis. Bone marrow depression. Potentially Fatal: Marked increase in triglyceride levels, GI haemorrhage, severe infections, pulmonary infiltrates or pulmonary function impairment.

Pregnancy category ::

0

Drug Mode of Action ::  

Interferon alfa-2a has antiviral, antitumour and immunomodulatory activity. It inhibits replication of a wide range of RNA and DNA viruses. It also exerts antiproliferative effects on normal and malignant cells. Interferon alfa-2a suppresses antibody formation through an effect on B-lymphocytes and inhibits onset of delayed hypersensitivity.

Drug Interactions ::

Reduces clearance of theophylline. Enhanced myelosuppression with other myelosuppressive drugs (e.g. zidovudine). Drugs metabolised by CYP450 pathway (monitor for changes in pharmacologic or adverse effects of concomitant drug). Increased risk of toxicity of centrally acting drugs. Increased risk of renal failure with interleukin-2.