Interferons, Alpha (Systemic)
Before Using This MedicineIn 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
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