About interferon alpha a
Recombinant interferon alfa-2a
Used for
- Certain chronic myeloid leukemia
- Selected cases of hairy cell leukemia
- AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma
- Chronic hepatitis B or C in some treatment settings
Usual adult dose
Varies by condition; commonly 3–9 million IU injected under the skin or into a muscle, several times weekly.
Common side effects
- Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, and muscle aches
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
- Low blood-cell counts
- Mood changes, including depression
Important warnings
- May cause severe depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental-health effects
- Can suppress bone marrow and increase infection or bleeding risk
- May worsen autoimmune, heart, liver, or kidney conditions
- Requires monitoring of blood counts and liver function
Pregnancy
May harm a developing baby; generally avoided during pregnancy, especially with ribavirin.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding safety is not well established; treatment decisions depend on the condition and product guidance.
Interactions
- Theophylline levels may rise
- Other medicines that suppress bone marrow can increase blood-count problems
- Ribavirin increases anemia risk and is unsafe during pregnancy
- Use with other medicines affecting the liver may increase liver risks
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.