Interferon is a natural protein produced by the body in response to the body against harmful compounds, such as viruses, bacteria, or cancer. Interferon is also available in medicinal form. Interferon in the form of drugs works by increasing the body's immune response and inhibiting the growth of viruses, bacteria, or cancer.
Basically interferons are divided into 3 major groups, namely Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Each of these groups has a type of drug with a different function, trademark, and dosage. In Indonesia, there are 4 types of interferon, namely:
- Interferon Alfa-2a: Used to treat chronic hair cell and myeloid leukemia, AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma, chronic hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, kidney cancer, melanoma, and cutaneous and follicular T-cell lymphoma.
- Interferon Alfa-2b: Used to treat condyloma acuminata (genital warts), Hair cell leukemia, Chronic myeloid leukemia, Chronic hepatitis C, chronic active hepatitis B, melanoma, AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma, carcinoid tumors, follicular lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
- Interferon alpha-n3: Used to increase the body's defenses against viral infections or cancer
- Interferon Beta-1a: Used to treat multiple sclerosis.
- Interferon Beta-1b: Used to treat recurrent multiple sclerosis.
- Interferon Gamma-1b: Used to treat chronic granulomas or delay the development of severe malignant osteopetrosis
Warning:
- Do not use interferon if you have or are currently suffering from autoimmune hepatitis, liver failure, kidney failure, or severe depression.
- Please be careful for those with heart problems, convulsions, severe kidney disorders, mental disorders (eg depression), diabetes, epilepsy, liver disorders, thrombocytopenia, and anemia.
- Be careful when using interferon if you have or are suffering from heart problems, seizures, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, lung disorders, blood clotting disorders, or mental disorders.
- Tell your doctor if you are receiving any other medicines, including supplements and herbal products.
- See a doctor immediately if an allergic reaction or overdose occurs.
The side effects of using interferon vary, depending on the type and type of drug. Side effects that can occur include:
- Headache
- Fever
- Muscle ache
Use of Interferon in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
Interferons Alfa-2a and Alfa-2b as well as interferons Beta-1a and Beta-1b are included in category C for pregnant women. This indicates that animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there have been no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.
Then, for breastfeeding mothers, it is not known whether the four types of interferon can be absorbed into breast milk or not. Therefore, discuss again with your doctor regarding the benefits and risks of using interferon.
Interferon Dosage
Interferon is available in injectable form. Interferon can be given by injection intramuscularly (muscle) or subcutaneously (under the skin). The doctor will adjust the method of drug administration to the patient's condition and the type of drug used.
In general, interferon is only prescribed for adults. The dose of interferon also varies, depending on the type of drug and the patient's health condition. The following are common doses of interferon:
| Drug Type | Trademark | Condition | Dose |
| Interferon Alpha-2a | Pegasys | Hair cell leukemia | 3 million units/day, for 16-24 weeks. The maintenance dose is 3 million units, 3 times/week. |
| AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma | Gradual dose, 3 million units for the first 3 days, then to 9 million units for the next 3 days, and 18 million units 3 days after, up to 36 million units/day. | ||
| Chronic hepatitis C | The initial dose is 3-6 million units, 3 times/week for 6 months. | ||
| Kidney cancer | The incremental dose, 3 million units, is given 3 times/week, for 1 week. Then 9 million units, 3 times/week the next 1 week. Then 18 million units, 3 times/week, for 3-12 months. | ||
| Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma | The period of use of the drug for 12 weeks, with the dose of the drug is 3 million units / day for the initial 3 days, 9 million units / day for 3 days later, and 18 million units / day thereafter until the treatment period is complete. | ||
| Chronic myeloid leukemia | Gradual dose, 3 million units/day for the initial 3 days, 6 million units/day for the next 3 days, and 9 million units/day thereafter. | ||
| Chronic hepatitis B | 2.5-5 million units/m2 of body surface area, 3 times/week for 4-6 months. | ||
| Follicular lymphoma | 6 million units/m2 body surface area/day on days 22-26 of a 28 day chemotherapy cycle. | ||
| Melanoma | 3 million units, 3 times/week for 18 months. | ||
| Interferon Alpha-2b | Peg intron | Condyloma acuminata (genital warts) | Each wound/lump is injected 1 million units, 3 times/week for 3 weeks. Maximum 5 wounds/lumps per treatment. |
| Hair cell leukemia | 2 million units/m2 of body surface area, 3 times/week for 6 months or more. | ||
| Chronic hepatitis C | 3 million units, 3 times/week for 6-18 months. | ||
| Active chronic hepatitis B | 5-10 million units, 3 times/week for 4-6 months. | ||
| Melanoma | The initial dose is 20 million units/m2 of body surface area, 5 times/week, for 4 weeks via a 20-minute infusion. The maintenance dose is 10 million units/m2 of body surface area, 3 times/week for 48 weeks. | ||
| AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma | 30 million units/m2 body surface area, 3 times/week. | ||
| Chronic myeloid leukemia | 4-5 million units/m2 of body surface area/day. The frequency, duration, and maximum dose will be adjusted to the condition and the body's response to the drug. | ||
| Carcinoid tumors | 3-9 million units, 3 times/week. | ||
| Follicular lymphoma | 5 million units, 3 times/week, for 18 months. | ||
| Multiple myeloma | The maintenance dose after induction chemotherapy is 3 million units/m2 of body surface area, 3 times/week. | ||
| Interferon Beta-1a | Rebif | Multiple sclerosis | The initial dose is 8.8 mcg, 3 times/week for 2 weeks. Thereafter it can be increased to 22 mcg, 3 times/week for 2 weeks, then 44 mcg, 3 times/week. |
| Interferon Beta-1b | Betaferon | Multiple sclerosis recurrence (relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis) | The initial dose is 62.5 mcg (2 million units) intermittently (one day used, one day not). Increase gradually over 3-6 weeks to a dose of 250 mcg (8 million units) with intermittent use. |