| Generic name | Interferon alfa-2b |
| Pronunciation | in-ter-FEER-on AL-fa-too-bee |
| Brand name(s), other common name(s) | Intron® A |
| Drug type | Immunomodulator |
| How the drug is given | Intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) injection |
Indications and Usage
Interferons are substances naturally produced by cells in the body to help fight infections and tumors. They may also be synthetic versions of these substances. Interferon alfa-2b is FDA approved to treat people who have hairy cell leukemia and aggressive follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Interferon may cause a temporary loss of hair. After treatment has ended, normal hair growth should return.
Side effects needing medical attention
Rapid heartbeat; difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; chest pain; depression; flulike symptoms (such as high fever, fatigue, muscle, joint or bone pain, headache, chills); rash; sweating; dizziness; numbness or tingling in fingers and toes; cough; sore throat; confusion; anxiety; muscle weakness; loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; stomach pain; weight loss; changes in taste; dry mouth; increased thirst. Treatment with interferons may be associated with exacerbated symptoms of psychiatric disorders in patients with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders.
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