Precautions
The side effects of interferon can be grouped into three categories, according to Cancer Research UK. These are as follows: Side effects, such as a sore throat or nausea, may be mistaken for symptoms of another problem. Common side effects are those that affect more than 10 percent of users.
What are the side effects of interferon?
Each form of interferon has different effects on the body. As well as occurring naturally in the body, interferon is also used as a treatment for various health disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), some types of cancer, and hepatitis C. What are the possible side effects?
What is interferon used to treat?
Because of the potential for retinopathy, an evaluation by an ophthalmologist is recommended at the beginning of interferon therapy. Your ophthalmologist will let you know when you need to return for another exam. He or she will use a device called an ophthalmoscope to look for early signs of retina damage.
When should I see an ophthalmologist for Interferon therapy?
You get interferon as a shot under your skin or into a muscle. A doctor can give you the shot or teach you how to give it to yourself at home. Interferon is also sometimes given through a vein in your arm (infusion). The number of shots or infusions you need depends on the condition you have.
How do you get interferon?
What does interferon do to your body?
Interferons are proteins that are part of your natural defenses. They tell your immune system that germs or cancer cells are in your body. And they trigger killer immune cells to fight those invaders.
How long does it take for interferon to work?
Occurs within 1-2 hours of treatment, may last up to 24 hours (over time the intensity of these symptoms decreases depending on the dose, how it is given, and the schedule of administration). Fatigue , drowsiness. Low blood counts . Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease.
How does interferon make you feel?
The more common long-term side effects of interferons are typically less severe. These side effects can include: swelling or other reactions at the injection site. flu-like symptoms such as headache, tiredness, and weakness.
What are the potential risks of interferons?
Serious side effectsDepression. Share on Pinterest Depression is a serious and common side effect of interferon treatment. ... Infertility and early menopause. Infertility is an occasional side effect of interferon use and can affect either men or women. ... Heart damage. ... High blood pressure.
Is interferon considered chemotherapy?
Interferon-alfa2b is different than a chemotherapy drug; it is actually a natural part of your body's immune system. It is known as a cytokine, which are chemicals normally secreted by cells called leukocytes in response to a virus, bacteria, or other foreign intruders.
Does interferon cause hair loss?
Your hair may become thin, brittle, or may fall out. This typically begins two to three weeks after treatment starts. This hair loss can be all body hair, including pubic, underarm, legs/arms, eyelashes, and nose hairs. The use of scarves, wigs, hats, and hairpieces may help.
How useful are interferons in oncology?
Interferons are made in the body by white blood cells and other cells, but they can also be made in the laboratory to use as treatments for different diseases. In cancer therapy, interferons may help keep cancer cells from growing and may help kill cancer cells.
Why does interferon cause depression?
IFN therapy decreases tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a cofactor required for the biosynthesis of serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, thereby predisposing to depression.
How much does interferon treatment cost?
The total cost of the IFN treatment regimen was estimated to range between US$1,120 and US$1,962 and the total cost of the Peg-IFN treatment regimen between US$2,156 and US$5,887 ( Table 3).
Can interferon cause dementia?
IFN-a has been associated with reversible, subcortical dementia in other cases where it was used as a treatment, usually at high doses.
Is interferon an immunotherapy?
Interferon is a type of immunotherapy patients receive as adjuvant therapy to reduce the risk of melanoma relapse.
Can interferon cause heart problems?
Interferon-α (IFN-α)-induced thyroid dysfunction (TD) has been well documented, with an incidence ranging from 10% to 27.7%. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Cardiovascular complications caused by interferon consists mainly of arrhythmia, myocarditis, reversible hypertension, ischemic heart disease, pericarditis and pericardial effusion.
How do you get interferon?
You get interferon as a shot under your skin or into a muscle. A doctor can give you the shot or teach you how to give it to yourself at home. Interferon is also sometimes given through a vein in your arm (infusion). The number of shots or infusions you need depends on the condition you have.
What are the three types of interferons?
Almost every cell in your body makes interferons. There are three main types: Interferon-alpha (or interferon-alfa) Interferon-beta. Interferon-gamma. Cells that have been infected with viruses or other germs give off interferon-alpha and interferon-beta as a warning signal to your immune system. That triggers immune cells called white blood cells ...
Why are interferons called interferons?
And they trigger killer immune cells to fight those invaders. Interferons got their name because they "interfere" with viruses and keep them from multiplying. In 1986, the first lab-made interferon was created to treat certain types of cancer.
What is the difference between Interferon Beta and Actimmune?
Interferon-beta treats different types of multiple sclerosis. It eases inflammation in your brain and spinal cord to prevent nerve damage. Interferon gamma-1b (Actimmune) treats chronic granulomatous disease, which affects the way your immune system works, and severe malignant osteopetrosis, which affects your bones.
What is the chemical in interferon?
Certain types of interferon medications have a chemical called polyethylene glycol (PEG) added to them. PEG makes the medicine last longer in your body, so you don't need as many shots. These are called peginterferon drugs.
How to help your immune system fight cancer?
Alert your immune system so it can go after the virus or cancer. Help your immune system recognize the virus or cancer. Tell immune cells to attack. Stop virus and cancer cells from growing and dividing. Help healthy cells fight infection.
When was interferon first used?
In 1986 , the first lab-made interferon was created to treat certain types of cancer. It was one of the earliest treatments to work with your immune system to fight illness and was later approved as a treatment for several other conditions, including hepatitis and multiple sclerosis.
What does interferon do to your body?
Interferons can boost your body’s production of certain antibodies. Antibodies are cells that fight harmful substances in your body. Antibodies may mistake some of your healthy cells for invaders and attack them.
Can interferons cause mood disorders?
The risk for each condition is higher if you’ve had that condition before. It’s not known why interferons can cause mood disorders.
Can interferon help with hepatitis C?
To find out more about the long-term side effects of interferon use for treating hepatitis C, talk with your doctor. They can tell you if symptoms you’re experiencing may be linked with previous treatment with interferons. They can also offer ways to help ease your symptoms.
What is the effect of interferon on the immune system?
Interferon medicines treat things like bacteria , viruses and cancer by boosting the immune system. They can cause retinopathy, which is a disease of the retina. Interferon medicines treat things like bacteria, viruses and cancer by boosting the immune system.
Can interferon cause retinopathy?
Interferon medicine can cause retinopathy. Retinopathy is a disease of the retinathat can lead to vision loss. In most cases, retinopathy due to interferon medicine is mild and reversible. However, retinopathy can lead to vision loss.
What is interferon therapy?
Interferon Therapy for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Interferons are a family of substances naturally made by our immune system (CML).Interferon-alpha is a man-made drug that acts like the substance our immune system naturally produces. It reduces the growth and division of leukemia cells.
Is interferon used for CML?
Interferon was once the best treatment for CML, but now, the tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the mainstay of treatment and interferon is rarely used. To treat CML, this drug is most often given as a daily injection (shot) under the skin. It may also be injected into a muscle or vein.
Does interferon cause nausea?
Interferon can cause significant side effects. These include "flu-like" symptoms like muscle aches, bone pain, fever, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Patients taking this drug may have problems thinking and concentrating. Interferon can also lower blood cell counts.
Does interferon lower blood cell count?
Interferon can also lower blood cell counts. Side effects continue as long as the drug is used, but can become easier to tolerate over time. They get better after the drug is stopped. Still, some patients find it hard to deal with these side effects every day and may need to stop treatment because of them.
Flu-Like Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, nausea, vomiting) last about one to 12 hours after receiving a dose of IFN. Fortunately, your body will develop a tolerance over time and the symptoms will slowly subside.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common side effect of IFN and is reported in 70 to 100% of patients. It generally increases in intensity as therapy continues and can be very debilitating.
Weight Loss
Patients who are treated with IFN often complain of a lack of appetite, weight loss and feeling full soon after starting to eat. However, since proper nutrition is key to being able to complete the full course of interferon therapy, you should try eating small, frequent meals, use high-protein supplements, and take multivitamins.
Mental Symptoms
The most frequently reported IFN-related psychiatric side effects are depression and irritability, but also common are apathy, sleep disturbances, tremor, sexual dysfunction, memory loss, manic symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, and suicidal thoughts.
Liver Toxicity
Your healthcare provider will be monitoring the function of your liver during IFN administration. Refrain from drinking alcohol or taking any anesthetics or statin medications (such as Lipitor or Zocor). If you're taking acetaminophen, be sure to stick to the recommended dose.
Working During Therapy
The flu-like symptoms and fatigue associated with IFN make it very difficult for people who have demanding jobs that require sustained attention, particularly for transportation and heavy machinery workers, pilots, and bus and truck drivers.
1. What are interferons?
Interferons are endogenic proteins that form an important part of the immune system. They are released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens, for example a viral infection or a tumor. They “interfere” with viral production and protect cells from infection, regulating the immune system’s activity.
2. How many different types of interferons are there?
There are various types of interferons that are each made up of different types of cells.
3. What is a peginterferon?
A peginterferon, short for pegylated interferon, is an interferon that is chemically paired with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Due to their longer half-life, peginterferons only need to be administered once a week (instead of about three times a week) for them to have the same effect as standard interferon therapy.
4. What is interferon therapy?
Genetically engineered interferons are used to treat autoimmune and infectious diseases as well as certain cancers, often for several months or even years. Here are some examples:
5. Are interferons a type of chemotherapy?
Interferon therapy is immunotherapy that can be used to support other therapies such as chemotherapy in the treatment of certain cancers. In cancer therapy, interferons can slow the growth of tumor cells and stop the growth of blood vessels that supply the tumor with blood.
6. How do interferons work?
Interferons activate the defense mechanisms of both virus-infected cells and the surrounding healthy cells. In doing so interferons can have the following effects:
7. How do interferons work with MS?
In the treatment of multiple sclerosis, the interferon supplied is intended to reduce the number of active inflammatory cells. Interferon therapy should also prevent these cells from penetrating the central nervous system. These defense processes weaken the disease activity, as can be seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
