Names and pronunciation
(In′ter-fear′on al′fa 2b) Intron A
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Drug reference
(In′ter-fear′on al′fa 2b) Intron A
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Func. class.: Antineoplastic, interferon
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USES: Hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, follicular lymphoma, Kaposi sarcoma caused by AIDS, some genital warts, and chronic hepatitis B or C in adults and to treat chronic hepatitis B in children ≥1 yr old
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DOSAGE AND ROUTES Hairy cell leukemia: NOTE: Administer interferon alfa-2b subcutaneously as opposed to intramuscularly if the patient’s platelet count is <50,000/mm3. Adults: IM/SUBCUT 2 million interna- tional units/m2 3 times a wk for up to 6 mo Aggressive, follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with an anthracycline • Adults: SUBCUT 5 million IU 3 times per wk for up to 18 mo in combination with an anthracycline AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma • Adult: IM/SUBCUT 30 million inter- national units/m2, 3 times/wk, continue for max response after 16 wk Chronic HBV infection • Adult: IM/SUBCUT 30-35 million IU/ wk X 16 weeks either as 5 million IU/day or 10 million IU 3 times per wk • Child 1-17 yr: SUBCUT 3 million IU/ m2 3 times per week for the first week, then escalated to 6 million IU/m2 (max I 10 million IU) 3 times per week X 16 to 24 wk
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Available forms: Solution for injection 18, 25 million international units (6 and 10 million international units/mL); pow- der for injection 10, 18, 50 million inter- national units/vial with diluent
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• Child 1-17 yr: SUBCUT 3 million IU/ m2 3 times per week for the first week, then escalated to 6 million IU/m2 (max I 10 million IU) 3 times per week X 16 to 24 wk
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