Interferon Alfa-2a

Interferon Alfa-2a is used in the treatment of follicular lymphoma and hairy cell leukemia. It works by altering cell function/growth and the body's natural defenses (immune system) in many ways. Interferon Alfa-2a is given as an injection by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. Headache, flu-like symptoms, sweating, fatigue, and muscle pain are some common side effects of this medicine. This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells (white blood cells) in your blood, thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with heart, liver and blood sugar level. You must have to inform your doctor immediately if you notice mood change, depression, and change in vision. Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy. Interferon Alfa-2a modulates the body's immune system.

• Follicular lymphoma • Hairy cell leukemia

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.

Adult Dose: Subcutaneous Renal cell carcinoma Adult: As an adjunct to cytotoxic chemotherapy: In an escalating dose of 3 million units 3 times wkly for 1 wk, then 9 million units 3 times wkly for 1 wk, then 18 million units 3 times wkly thereafter for 3-12 mth. Chronic hepatitis B Adult: 2.5-5 million units/m2 3 times/wk for 4-6 mth. Chronic hepatitis C Adult: 3-4.5 million units 3 times wkly for 6 mth when used with ribavirin. As monotherapy: Initial: 3-6 million units 3 times wkly for 6 mth followed by 3 million units 3 times wkly for an additional 6 mth, or 3 million units 3 times wkly for 12 mth. Hairy cell leukaemia Adult: 3 million units daily for 16-24 wk. Maintenance: 3 million units 3 times/wk. May continue treatment for up to 24 wk. AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma Adult: In an escalating dose of 3 million units daily for 3 days, 9 million units daily for 3 days, 18 million units daily for 3 days, and 36 million units daily, if tolerated, on days 10-84. thereafter the max tolerated dose (up to 36 million units) may be given 3 times wkly. Chronic myeloid leukaemia Adult: In an escalating dose of 3 million units daily for 3 days, 6 million units daily for 3 days, and 9 million units daily thereafter. For responders after 12 wk: Continue treatment until a complete haematological response is achieved or for a max of 18 mth; for those who achieve a complete haematological response: Continue on 9 million units daily (at least 9 million units 3 times wkly) in order to achieve a cytogenetic response. Follicular lymphoma Adult: As an adjunct to chemotherapy: 6 million units/ m2 daily on days 22-26 of each 28-day chemotherapy cycle. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma Adult: In an escalating dose of 3 million units daily for 3 days, then 9 million units daily for 3 days, and then 18 million units daily to complete 12 wk of treatment. Thereafter, the max tolerated dose (up to 18 million units) is given 3 times wkly for at least 12 mth in responders. Melanoma Adult: 3 million units 3 times/wk for 18 mth. Start treatment no later than 6 wk after surgery.

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

If you miss a dose of Interferon Alfa-2a, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common: • Decreased appetite • Decreased calcium level in blood • Decreased white blood cell count • Diarrhea • Fatigue • Flu-like symptoms • Hair loss • Headache • Joint pain • Muscle pain • Nausea • Rigors • Sweating • Vomiting

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] It is not known whether Interferon Alfa-2a alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.

Hypersensitivity. Autoimmune hepatitis, hepatic decompensation.

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.

[CAUTION] Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Interferon Alfa-2a. Please consult your doctor.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Interferon Alfa-2a is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Interferon Alfa-2a is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.

[CAUTION] Interferon Alfa-2a should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Interferon Alfa-2a may be needed. Please consult your doctor. [SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Interferon Alfa-2a is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Interferon Alfa-2a may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is advised while you are taking this medicine.

Dr said she is having rickets.she is very normal .but she was having pain while walking in her knees and ankles fromsomeday i want to know will she be 100%alright after treatment . has prescribed a shellcal daily and a d3 60weekly Take the above treatment Along with this take an Injection of Vitamin-D (Arachitol) 6lakh IU My father has low Vitamin D. He has been struggling with swelling and pain in the right knee and the left ankle for about a month now. We have consulted a General Physician. Vitamin D level is 6.5 and the X Ray report shows degenerative changes. Take two shots of Injection Arachitol 6Lac IU at an interval of 2 weeksAlso share x-ray pic I hv a little erectile dysfunction. I am a hairy cell leukaemia survivor. I am totally cured now. Can I use sidenafill citrate (Generic Viagra). If yes, what should be the dosage?? Hello PATIENT to 1mg. Erectile problems can be happen to people at any age having issue like stress, fatigue, disturb relationship, anxiety, alcohol, smoking and medical problems like High BP, Diabetes, obesity etc. My personal advice is lifestyle changes like exercising, losing weight, stopping smoking,curbing alcohol intake, don't wear tight pants, do pelvic kegal exercise. There are medications but they have side effects so i dont advice first. But i strongly recommend to start healthy life with some antioxidant vitamins and healthy diet. You may take vitamin like DHEA cap, L arginine and herbal ashwagandha capsule. Apply Himcolin gel. Concentrate on Yoga and meditation and also take help from your partner. Use these for couple of months if not improved do few blood tests like thyroid, sugar and testosterone and let me know. Why this injection Wepox 10000 Iu given? What is the salt in it I have a hairy skin and pimple Please elaborate your symptoms, history, treatment and investigations done. Hi I am 20 wk pregnent and just diagnosed with severe low levels of Vitamin D3 to be 5.67. I am taking 4000 IU of D3 (Ultra D3 4K tablet). I have two questions : 1.What does its implications. 2. Is the dose correct Along with it take 2 shots of Injection Arachitol 6Lac IU at an interval of 2 weeks I have a hairy skin and pimples Nadoxin gel at night over pimplesGo for hormonal check up I have a hairy skin and pimples Post pictures of the problem