Interferons, Alpha (Systemic)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For interferons, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to alpha interferon or to proteins, such as egg white or immunoglobulin.

Pregnancy - Alpha interferons have not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans. However, in monkeys given 20 to 500 times the human dose of recombinant interferon alfa-2a or given 90 to 180 times the usual dose of recombinant interferon alfa-2b, there was an increase in death of the fetuses.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether alpha interferons pass into breast milk. However, because this medicine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding may not be recommended while you are receiving it. Discuss with your doctor whether or not you should breast-feed while you are receiving alpha interferon.

Children - There is no specific information comparing use of alpha interferon for cancer or genital warts in children with use in other age groups.

Adolescents - Alpha interferons may cause changes in the menstrual cycle. Discuss this possible effect with your doctor.

Older adults - Some side effects of alpha interferons (chest pain, irregular heartbeat, unusual tiredness, confusion, mental depression, trouble in thinking or concentrating) may be more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of alpha interferons.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of alpha interferons. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bleeding problems - May be worsened by recombinant interferon alfa-2b

• Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
• Herpes zoster (shingles) - Risk of severe disease affecting other parts of the body

• Convulsions (seizures) or
• Mental problems (or history of) - Risk of problems affecting the central nervous system may be increased

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or
• Heart attack (recent) or
• Heart disease or
• Infections or
• Kidney disease or
• Lack of blood supply to any part of the body or
• Liver disease or
• Lung disease - May be worsened by alpha interferons

• Problems with overactive immune system - Alpha interferons make the immune system even more active

• Thyroid disease - Recombinant interferon alfa-2b can cause thyroid problems when it is used to treat hepatitis