Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Intron A

Generic Name: interferon alfa-2b (Pronunciation: IN ter FEAR on AL fa 2b)

What is interferon alfa-2b (Intron A)?

Interferon alfa-2b is made from human proteins. Interferons help the body fight viral infections.

Interferon alfa-2b is used to treat hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, follicular lymphoma, Kaposi's sarcoma caused by AIDS, and certain types of genital warts. Interferon alfa-2b is also used to treat chronic hepatitis B or C.

Interferon alfa-2b is often used in combination with another drug called ribavirin (Rebetol). Some of the information in this medication guide applies to the use of both drugs in this combination.

Interferon alfa-2b may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of interferon alfa-2b (Intron A)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using interferon alfa-2b and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

severe depression, aggressive behavior, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others;
fast, slow, or uneven heart rate, feeling like you might pass out;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
vision or hearing problems;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
severe stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
cough with yellow or green mucus, feeling short of breath;
chest pain, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
sudden numbness or weakness, headache, confusion, or problems with speech or balance; or
a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Less serious side effects may include:

dizziness, spinning sensation;
muscle pain, tired feeling;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
dry mouth, dry cough, sore throat, hair loss;
mild itching or skin rash; or
burning, bleeding, pain, itching, or skin changes where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about interferon alfa-2b (Intron A)?

Interferon alfa-2b is often used in combination with another drug called ribavirin (Rebetol). Some of the information in this medication guide applies to the use of both drugs in this combination.

Interferon alfa-2b may be harmful to an unborn baby, or may cause a miscarriage. Do not use interferon alfa-2b if you are pregnant, especially if you also take ribavirin (Rebetol). Use 2 forms of effective birth control while you are using this drug combination and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends.

If a man fathers a child while using interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for at least 6 months after you stop using this drug combination..

You should not use interferon alfa-2b if you are allergic to interferons, or if you have autoimmune hepatitis, or severe liver problems from causes other than hepatitis B or C.

You should not use the combination of interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin if you have an allergy to either drug, or if you have severe kidney disease, a blood cell disorder, if you are pregnant, or if you are a man and your female sex partner is pregnant.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using interferon alfa-2b (Intron A)?»

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.