Managing the neuropsychiatric side effects of interferon. Apr 09, 2020 our avonex interferon beta1a side effects drug center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication. Interferon alfa is given by mouth or injection and is used off label to treat certain viral diseases in dogs and cats. Pdf how to manage side effects of interferon alpha therapy. These early side effects of interferon are predictable and are encountered in the majority of patients. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Depression is a serious and frequently occurring side effect of ifn. Neuropychiatric side effects of interferonalfa therapy. Pdf how to manage side effects of interferon alpha therapy in. New antiviral drugs are replacing hardtotolerate medications peginterferon alfa and ribavirin that were, until recently, the backbone of hepatitis c treatment. Recommendations for the treatment of hepatitis c in 2017. Its use is accompanied by a wide variety of possible side effects. Further studies should be conducted to show which therapy is the most appropriate to reduce the neuropsychiatric symptoms that are related to the use of ifn.
Depression as a syndrome frequently complicates ifn therapy. Severe infections have occurred during interferon therapy. Side effects are uncommon but may include vomiting or decreased appetite. May 12, 2020 interferon therapy does have several side effects that a patient needs to be aware of.
Pdf psychiatric adverse effects of interferon therapy. Highdose alpha interferon therapy induces various adverse effects. The increasing use of interferon ifn in treating a variety of disorders including, malignant melanoma and hepatitis c, has resulted in the identification and increasing concern about the psychiatric side effects that can result from treatment. Side effects of therapy for chronic hepatitis c gastroenterology. Side effects the side effects for standard interferon and pegylated interferon are similar. Thankyou for opening this dialogue about lingering effects post treatment. Although interferon therapy can affect any organ system, the most commonly reported side effects include flulike symptoms such as fever, chills, myalgia, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting 3. Krauser on long term side effects of interferon treatment for melanoma. Common sideeffects of combination pegifn and ribavirin rbv treatment for chronic hepatitis c adverse effects approximate incidence % injection site reaction 3658 fatigue 5064 headache 5062 myalgia 4256 pyrexia 4356 rigors 2448 alopecia 2836 arthralgia.
Sep 14, 2019 some side effects of interferon alfa2b may occur that usually do not need medical attention. Doctor answers on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and more. Management of rare side effects of peginterferon and. Depression induced by interferon has been a significant cause of early treatment discontinuation in clinical trials. Neuropsychiatric sideeffects of interferonalpha treatment ncbi. These may not require dose modification, but can be problematic for a significant proportion of patients. Our avonex interferon beta1a side effects drug center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Neuropsychiatric side effects are common with interferon based therapy for chronic hepatitis c, and their prompt recognition and management is essential to effective patient care. The most common side effects are flulike symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches.
May 30, 2018 interferon alfa2b side effects get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction. These include flulike symptoms like muscle aches, bone pain, fever, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Interferon is a powerful drug used to treat hepatitis types b, c, and d. Find out what health conditions may be a health risk when taken with interferon alfa2b injection. Nine hundred and eightyseven patients with chronic active hepatitis c received 6 to 10 mu of alpha interferon per day for 2 weeks and 3 times per week for 22 weeks. Other adverse events effects may require dose modification or even discontinuation of therapy in 2% to 10% of patients. Neuropsychiatric side effects are common with interferonbased therapy for chronic hepatitis c, and their prompt recognition and management is essential to effective patient care. Long term side effects of interferon treatment for melanoma. Studies around the world, including a huge who study, are looking at different interferons to treat covid19 coronavirus, but no existing covid19 drug trials in the u. It can also cause sores in the mouth or any mucosal area which is in the field of radiation. Nov 06, 20 the intensity of depression during interferon therapy varies from mild reactive depression to major depressive episode.
Severe and even lifethreat tions of different preparations of alpha interferon is problem ening side effects of. Jun 04, 2018 intron a interferon alfa2b is an alpha interferon made from human proteins used to treat hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, follicular lymphoma, kaposis sarcoma caused by aids, certain types of genital warts, and chronic hepatitis b or c. The aim of this study was to evaluate the side effects of alphainterferon ifn in 94 consecutive children 58 males. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or that are receiving immediate vaccination. In order to reduce side effects, rebif and avonex therapies are started on a lower dose and gradually increased to the full dose over 4 weeks. Lowdose interleukin2, maintenance interferonalfa, and peginterferon are shots that may be given in the doctors office, in an infusion center, or possibly selfadministered at home. Coping with side effects of hepatitis c drugs mayo clinic. Depressive symptoms are common in the early stages of. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to. Given the increasing incidence of pediatric melanoma, it is important that dermatologists be aware of potential side effects of interferon therapy to optimize care and education for these patients. Then it can cause some mild local skin redness or sun burn like effects.
If these side effects are too severe, the patient may have to discontinue treatment with interferon. Its typically prescribed in combination with other medications for up to 24 weeks. May 16, 2011 to our knowledge, this is the first case report of livedo reticularis occurring as a side effect of interferon treatment for pediatric melanoma. These effects can occur either shortly after beginning ifn therapy or later as a result of continued treatment. These side effects are more marked in hepatitis c cirrhotic patients where discontinuation of therapy may be required in upto 14. Visual side effects of pegylated interferon during therapy f. Interferon alfa2b side effects get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction.
Hematological side effects need special consideration. Interferon treatment for hepatitis c would typically last 2448 weeks 612 months. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Other adverse events effects may require dose modification or. Side effects of avonex interferon beta1a, warnings, uses. A history of mental disorder is an important predictive factor for occurrence of psychiatric symptoms after interferon therapy 6. Stopping betainterferon therapy in multiple sclerosis. Cutaneous side effects of combined therapy with sorafenib and. The patient can often develop fever, chills, and flulike symptoms.
If these side effects are too severe, the patient may have to. Interferon ifn is standard therapy for chronic viral hepatitis in children. This can lead to significant and severe side effects throughout your body. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office. This treatment can be used in hematological malignancy, such as in leukemia and lymphomas including hairy cell leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, nodular lymphoma, and cutaneous t. The side effects of interferonbased treatment, as well as their management, hepatitis c virus infection in children view in chinese conventional regimen of pegylated interferon and ribavirin has common and potentially significant side effects.
Interferon intron a, side effects of interferon intron a. Interferon therapy is used in combination with chemotherapy and radiation as a treatment for some cancers. During a clinical study with combined therapy of sorafenib and pegylated interferon alpha. Side effects of ifn and ribavirin combination therapy for hcv have been documented. Interferon was named for its ability to interfere with viral proliferation. When used longterm, ribavirin can cause serious side effects. Cardiac arrhythmia is reported only in the peg interferon product information and one big study conducted on 441 chronic hcv patients reported that unexplained syncopal attacks. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. The role of interferon in hepatitis b therapy pdf paperity. The need to monitor for and treat interferon induced depression is well established, but whether to. The aim of this study was to evaluate the side effects of alpha interferon ifn in 94 consecutive children 58 males. Side effects of i interferon in chronic hepatitis c.
Ribavirin rebetol, copegus, ribasphere, ribapak, moderiba is a drug used in combination with interferon for the treatment of chronic hepatitis c. We describe a case of chronic hepatitis c infection that developed visual complaints after one month of pegylated interferon, and retinopathy confirmed on ophthalmologic examination. Webmd provides common contraindications for interferon alfa2b injection. The need to monitor for and treat interferoninduced depression is well established, but whether to. Clinical studies have reported a larger number of psychiatric symptoms consecutive to immunomodulating interferon therapy. Intron a is often used in combination with another drug called ribavirin rebetol. Various side effects have been reported in patients treated with alpha interferon, but their incidence and prognosis remain unknown.
The intensity of depression during interferon therapy varies from mild reactive depression to major depressive episode. Interferon therapy does have several side effects that a patient needs to be aware of. Keywords betainterferon, multiple sclerosis, side effects, stopping, switching. Intron a interferon alfa2b is an alpha interferon made from human proteins used to treat hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, follicular lymphoma, kaposis sarcoma caused by aids, certain types of genital warts, and chronic hepatitis b or c. Hematological side effects of pegylated interferon plus. Treating hepatitis with interferon hepatitis center. Clinical effects of interferon therapy with special emphasis on. Studies around the world, including a huge who study, are looking at different interferons to treat covid19 coronavirus, but no existing covid19 drug trials in.
This treatment can be used in hematological malignancy, such as in leukemia and lymphomas including hairy cell leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, nodular lymphoma, and cutaneous tcell lymphoma. Jun 05, 2018 interferon treatment for hepatitis c would typically last 2448 weeks 612 months. A number of risk factors for depression secondary to interferon therapy were identified. Other reported side effects of interferon include nerve paralysis as well as hearing loss.
I am a 44 year old woman who had genotype1 for at least 20 years prior to diagnosis. I had many side effects during treatment, but i have cleared the. I was fortunate enough to be treated with pegylated interferon and ribaviran combination therapy for 48 weeks in 200607. It can prevent serious liver damage, but it also has many side effects, some of them. Interferon, any of several related proteins that are produced by the bodys cells as a defensive response to viruses.
Anemia is common side effect in patients taking pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy. Review side effects, drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy safety information prior to taking any medication. It is vital that the patient immediately report any negative side effects to a medical professional right away, as severe illness or even death may occur if these side effects are left untreated. Most side effects diminish in frequency and severity with continued administration. Sideeffects of interferonbased therapy in contrast to the welltolerated na, ifnbased therapy is often complicated by the occurrence of side effects.
Radiation is usually free of side effects for the first 23 weeks of use. These sideeffects may hamper reaching and maintaining the dose needed for maximal therapeutic effect while their occurrence can outweigh clinical benefit of ifn. Ifn therapy of benign and malignant tumor disease is pursued as clinical trials. Sleijfer s1, bannink m, van gool ar, kruit wh, stoter g. Request pdf neuropychiatric side effects of interferonalfa therapy immunotherapy with interferonalfa ifnalfa is used in a variety of diseases in and outside clinical trials e. Flulike syndrome, headache, myalgia, fatigue, and local reaction at the injection site are reported most frequently, but do not require discontinuation of therapy in most cases 18, 19, 33, 46. Side effects of alphainterferon therapy and impact on heal.
Learn about the safety, effectiveness, and potential side effects of avonex interferon beta1a treatment. Side effects of highdose interferon therapy for chronic. Special pediatric considerations are noted when applicable, otherwise adult provisions apply. Pegasys pegylated interferon alfa2a is also given once weekly under the skin. Some side effects of interferon alfa2b may occur that usually do not need medical attention. Interferons caused many longterm side effects partly because of this long treatment time. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of livedo reticularis occurring as a side effect of interferon treatment for pediatric melanoma. Many people who start treatment for chronic hepatitis c dont make it through the entire course of therapy because of side effects. Patients taking this drug may have problems thinking and concentrating.
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