Intron-A Powder

Intron-A Powder may cause or worsen certain serious or life-threatening medical conditions. These may include certain mental or mood problems (eg, depression), immune system problems (eg, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis), heart or blood vessel problems, and infection. Tell your doctor if you have a history of any of these conditions. Tell your doctor at once if you experience any new or worsening symptoms of mental or mood problems (eg, depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, aggression), heart or blood vessel problems (eg, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, one-sided weakness, slurred speech), or signs of infection (eg, fever, chills, or persistent sore throat). Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments while you use Intron-A Powder.

Intron-A Powder is used for:

Treating some patients for certain types of leukemia, lymphoma, and hepatitis; certain AIDS-related illnesses (eg, Kaposi sarcoma); and genital warts (condylomata acuminata). It is also used in addition to surgery to treat a certain type of skin cancer (malignant melanoma) in some patients. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Intron-A Powder is an interferon. Exactly how Intron-A Powder works is not known. It is thought to help the immune system fight tumor cells and viruses, as well as decrease their ability to reproduce.

Do NOT use Intron-A Powder if:

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Intron-A Powder:

Some medical conditions may interact with Intron-A Powder. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Intron-A Powder. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Intron-A Powder may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Intron-A Powder:

Use Intron-A Powder as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Intron-A Powder.

Important safety information:

Possible side effects of Intron-A Powder:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; hair thinning; increased sweating; loss of appetite; mild flu-like symptoms (eg, headache, muscle aches, mild fever or chills); mild redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site; nausea; tiredness; vomiting; weight loss.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); black, tarry, or bloody stools; bloody diarrhea; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; decreased concentration; decreased urination; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hearing problems or loss of hearing; high or persistent fever, chills, or sore throat; mental or mood changes (eg, aggressive behavior, anxiety, depression, hallucination, irritability, nervousness); one-sided weakness; pain or numbness of an arm or leg; pale stools; persistent feeling of being unusually cold; reddened, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin; severe lower back pain; severe or persistent cough; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; severe or persistent muscle pain or weakness; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; shortness of breath; slurred speech; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased thirst or urination, unusual drowsiness, flushing, fruit-like breath odor); thoughts of killing yourself or others; unusual bleeding or bruising; vision problems or changes (eg, blurred or double vision, decreased vision, or loss of vision); yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (

Store Intron-A Powder in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Keep Intron-A Powder, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Intron-A Powder. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

More Intron-A Powder resources

Intron A

Generic Name: interferon alfa-2b ( IN ter FEAR on AL fa 2b)

What is Intron A (interferon alfa-2b)?

Interferon alfa-2b is made from human proteins. Interferons help the body fight viral infections.

Interferon alfa-2b is used to treat hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, follicular lymphoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma caused by AIDS, and certain types of genital warts.

Interferon alfa-2b is also used to treat chronic hepatitis B or C.

Interferon alfa-2b is often used in combination with another drug called ribavirin (Rebetol). Some of the information in this medication guide applies to the use of both drugs in this combination.

Interferon alfa-2b may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Intron A (interferon alfa-2b)?

Interferon alfa-2b is often used in combination with another drug called ribavirin (Rebetol). Some of the information in this medication guide applies to the use of both drugs in this combination. Interferon alfa-2b may be harmful to an unborn baby, or may cause a miscarriage. Do not use interferon alfa-2b if you are pregnant, especially if you also take ribavirin (Rebetol). Use 2 forms of effective birth control while you are using this drug combination and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends.

If a man fathers a child while using interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 6 months after you stop using this drug combination..

You should not use interferon alfa-2b if you are allergic to interferons, or if you have autoimmune hepatitis, or severe liver problems from causes other than hepatitis B or C.

You should not use the combination of interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin if you have an allergy to either drug, or if you have severe kidney disease, a blood cell disorder, if you are pregnant, or if you are a man and your female sex partner is pregnant.

Before using interferon alfa-2b, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and about any other medications you use.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Intron A (interferon alfa-2b)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to interferons, or if you have:

autoimmune hepatitis; or

severe liver problems from causes other than hepatitis B or C.

You should not use the combination of interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin if you have:

severe kidney disease;

a blood cell disorder such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia;

if you are allergic to interferons or ribavirin;

if you are pregnant; or

if you are a man and your female sex partner is pregnant.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use interferon alfa-2b:

diabetes;

cancer;

bone marrow suppression;

a bleeding disorder;

a thyroid disorder;

breathing problems such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);

a history of depression, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, or drug or alcohol addiction;

heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or history of a heart attack or blood clots;

an autoimmune disorder such as psoriasis, arthritis, or lupus;

colitis or other intestinal disorder; or

if you have recently received an organ transplant.

If a man fathers a child while using interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 6 months after you stop using this drug combination..

It is not known whether interferon alfa-2b passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The powder form of interferon alfa-2b contains albumin, but the solution (liquid) form does not. Albumin comes from human plasma (part of the blood) and may contain viruses and other infectious agents that can cause disease. Although donated human plasma is screened, tested, and treated to reduce the risk of it containing anything that could cause disease, there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

How should I use Intron A (interferon alfa-2b)?

Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Interferon alfa-2b is given as an injection into a muscle, under the skin, or directly into a genital wart. The medicine may also be given through a needle placed into a vein.

Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Do not shake the medication vial (bottle). Vigorous shaking can ruin the medicine. Do not draw your dose into a syringe or IV bag until you are ready to give yourself an injection.

Interferon alfa-2b powder medicine must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication. Do not use the mixture if it is not clear or light yellow, or if it has any particles in it. Throw it away and mix another dose.

The single-dose vial of interferon alfa-2b is for one use only. Throw the vial away after measuring your dose, even if there is still some medicine in it. Do not save it for later use. Do not change brands or generic forms of this medication without your doctor’s advice. Not all brands, forms, and strengths of interferon alfa-2b are used to treat the same medical conditions. Always check your refills to make sure you have received the correct brand and type of medicine prescribed by your doctor. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the medicine you receive at the pharmacy.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Interferon alfa-2b may cause dry mouth, which can lead to tooth decay or gum disease. Brush your teeth twice daily and have regular dental exams while you are using this medication.

Store interferon alfa-2b in the refrigerator and do not allow it to freeze. After mixing the powder medicine with a diluent, you may store the mixture in the refrigerator but you must use it within 24 hours.

To reduce or prevent certain side effects, your doctor may recommend you take acetaminophen (Tylenol) at the time of your interferon alfa-2b injection. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the correct dose.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an interferon alfa-2b overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while using Intron A (interferon alfa-2b)?

If you are being treated for hepatitis or genital warts, avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing hepatitis or genital warts to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person. Avoid drinking alcohol if you are also taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) while using interferon alfa-2b.

Intron A (interferon alfa-2b) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using interferon alfa-2b and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

severe depression, aggressive behavior, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others;

fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;

feeling like you might pass out;

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

vision or hearing problems;

urinating less than unusal or not at all;

severe stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

cough with yellow or green mucus, feeling short of breath;

chest pain, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

sudden numbness or weakness, headache, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance; or

a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Less serious side effects may include:

dizziness, spinning sensation;

headache, tired feeling;

muscle pain;

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;

dry mouth, dry cough, sore throat, hair loss;

mild itching or skin rash; or

burning, bleeding, pain, itching, or skin changes where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Intron A (interferon alfa-2b)?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

zidovudine (Retrovir);

theophylline (Elixophyllin, Respbid, Slo-Bid, Theobid, Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, and others); or

medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as sirolimus (Rapamune) or tacrolimus (Prograf).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with interferon alfa-2b. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.