Interferon alfa-2a
- Generic Name:
- Interferon alfa-2a
- Pronunciation:
- in-ter-FEER-on AL-fa-too-ay
- Drug Type:
- Immunomodulator
- How the Drug is Given:
Intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) injection
- Names:
- Roferon®-A
- Interferon alfa-2a
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-2a is FDA approved to treat people who have hairy cell leukemia and Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia who are minimally pretreated (within 1 year of diagnosis). It may cause a temporary loss of hair. After treatment has ended, normal hair growth should return.
Side effects needing medical attention
Depression, anxiety or other mental changes; difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; chest pain; numbness or tingling in fingers, toes or face; rapid heartbeat with or without fever; rash; dizziness; flulike symptoms (such as fever, fatigue, muscle, joint or bone pain, headache, chills); sweating; cough; sore throat; swelling of feet or ankles; difficulty walking; unusual tiredness or fatigue; loss of appetite; changes in taste; nausea and vomiting; weight loss; diarrhea or stomach pain.