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What is Interferon Alfa n1
NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the US.
Interferon alfa n1 lymphoblastoid, is a formulation of purified, natural, human interferon (IFN) alpha proteins derived from a human lymphoblastoid cell line following induction with murine parainfluenza virus type 1 (Sendai strain).
Alpha IFNs and beta interferons are structurally and functionally related. The alpha IFNs include more than 25 subtypes; interferon alfa-n1 consists of predominantly 9 IFN alpha subtypes comprising 165 or 166 amino acids.
The manufacturing process includes two immunoaffinity chromotography steps using bovine and ovine antibodies.
In addition, the manufacturing process contains steps that have been shown to inactivate viruses and microorganisms, and there has been no evidence of infection transmission during clinical trials.
The leukocyte nutrient medium contains neomycin and polymyxin B; however, neither product is detectable in the final product. Interferon alfa-n1 is used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
In a comparison with interferon alfa-2b, sustained response rates were 10.3% and 6.7% for interferon alfa-n1 and interferon alfa-2b, respectively, following 6 months of treatment. Longer treatment duration is associated with an increased response.
The FDA approved interferon alfa-n1 in March 1999 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C; however, the product was never launched in the United States.
In August 1999 the manufacturer discontinued all production and supply of interferon alfa-n1; this product is no longer available.
Indications
- adenovirus
- encephalomyocarditis virus
- hepatitis B virus
- hepatitis C infection
- hepatitis C virus
- hepatitis D virus
- herpes simplex virus type 1
- herpes simplex virus type 2
- human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- human papillomavirus (HPV)
- human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)
- poliovirus
- rhinovirus
- varicella-zoster virus
- variola virus (smallpox)
- vesicular stomatitis virus
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- alopecia
- angioedema
- anorexia
- anxiety
- arthralgia
- ascites
- asthenia
- cardiomyopathy
- chest pain (unspecified)
- chills
- coma
- confusion
- cough
- depression
- diaphoresis
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dyspnea
- edema
- elevated hepatic enzymes
- emotional lability
- fatigue
- fever
- GI bleeding
- headache
- hepatic failure
- hyperglycemia
- hypertension
- hyperthyroidism
- hypothyroidism
- infection
- injection site reaction
- insomnia
- leukopenia
- myalgia
- myocardial infarction
- nausea
- neutropenia
- paresthesias
- pneumonitis
- proteinuria
- pruritus
- rash
- renal failure (unspecified)
- retinal hemorrhage
- rhabdomyolysis
- rhinorrhea
- seizures
- suicidal ideation
- supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
- thrombocytopenia
- urticaria
- visual impairment
- vomiting
- weight loss
Monitoring Parameters
- (drug no longer available)
- CBC with differential
- chest x-ray
- ECG
- LFTs
- thyroid function tests (TFTs)
Contraindications
- alcoholism
- ascites
- autoimmune disease
- bone marrow suppression
- bovine protein hypersensitivity
- breast-feeding
- cardiac arrhythmias
- cardiac disease
- children
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- coagulopathy
- coronary artery disease
- dental disease
- dental work
- depression
- diabetes mellitus
- driving or operating machinery
- egg hypersensitivity
- geriatric
- Graves’ disease
- hepatic disease
- hepatitis
- hyperlipidemia
- hypertension
- hyperthyroidism
- hypothyroidism
- immunosuppression
- intramuscular administration
- intramuscular injections
- jaundice
- myocardial infarction
- neomycin hypersensitivity
- non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
- organ transplant
- ovine protein hypersensitivity
- pregnancy
- psoriasis
- pulmonary disease
- radiation therapy
- renal impairment
- seizure disorder
- suicidal ideation
- thyroid disease
Interactions
No information is available regarding drug interactions associated with Interferon Alfa n1