- Hemangiomas of infancy
- Hairy cell leukemia
- Multiple investigational uses
- Hepatitis B and hepatitis C
- Malignant melanoma
Interferon alfa-2b (INTRON-A):
- Available as lyophilized powder for injection with diluent (Sterile Water for Injection) of 10 or 18 million units/vial
- Available as ready-to-use solution (Albumin (human) free) of 10 million units/mL (1 mL, 2.5 mL vials) and 6 million units/mL (3 mL vials)
- Available as solution for injection multi-dose pen (Albumin (human) free)containing 18 million units (15 million units/mL), 30 million units (25 million units/mL) and 60 million units (50 million units/mL)
- Reconstituted lyophilized Intron-A should be used within 24 hours if stored in the fridge
- Intron-A ready-to-use solution may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of 7 days.
- 10 MIU vials: After first use, any unused solution is stable 7 days in fridge
- 18 and 25 MIU vials: After first use, the solution is stable 4 weeks in the fridge.
- Multidose pens must be discarded 28 days after first use. They may be kept at room temperature for up to 48 hours during the 28 days
- Diluted solutions stable in 0.9% NaCl for 24 hours at room temperature or in the fridge at a concentration of greater than or equal to 0.3 million units/mL
Peginterferon alfa-2b (UNITRON PEG):
- Available as a lyophilized powder for injection with diluent (Sterile Water for Injection) in vials of deliverable doses of 50 mcg/0.5 mL, 80 mcg/0.5 mL, 120 mcg/0.5 mL and 150 mcg/0.5 mL
- Each vial must be reconstituted with 0.7 mL of Sterile Water for Injection to give a final volume of 0.74 mL for administration of up to 0.5 mL of solution. The reconstituted solutions will have concentration of 100, 160, 240, and 300 mcg/mL
Reconstituted solution is stable for 24 hours, refrigerated. DO NOT SHAKE.
Interferon alfa-2b (INTRON-A):
- Solutions Compatible: 0.9% NaCl (interferon concentration > 0.3 million units/mL), Ringer's, RL, amino acid injections, 5% sodium bicarbonate at 0.5-1 million units/mL
- Additive/Above Cassette Compatible: do not mix with other medications
- Y-site compatible: do not mix with other medications
Incompatible: Dextrose solutions
Peginterferon alfa-2b (UNITRON PEG):
- Do not mix with any other solutions
(For approved routes of administration by nursing personnel, refer to Policy for the Administration of Intravenous Medications.)
Interferon alfa-2b (INTRON-A):
| SC | Yes, preferred route - rotate sites |
| IM | Yes, patients > 18 years old |
| IV Direct | No |
| IV Intermittent Infusion |
Yes Usual dilution: dilute in NS to > 0.3 million units/mL (300,000 units/mL) Infusion time: 20 minutes |
| IV Continuous Infusion | No |
Peginterferon alfa-2b (UNITRON PEG)
| SC | Yes |
| IM | NO |
| IV Direct | NO |
| IV Intermittent Infusion | NO |
| IV Continuous Infusion | NO |
(For neonatal dosages, refer to Neonatal IV Drug Manual.)
Interferon alfa-2b (INTRON-A):
Pediatric dosing:
- Chronic Hepatitis B: 3-10 million units/m2 SC 3 times weekly
- Chronic Hepatitis C: 3-5 million units/m2 SC 3 times weekly
- Hemangiomas: 3 million units/m2 SC daily
- Gorham Syndrome: 1.5 million units/m2 SC daily
- Malignant melanoma:
- Induction: 20 million units/m2 I.V. for 5 consecutive days per week for 4 weeks
- Maintenance: 10 million units/m2 SC 3 times/week for 48 weeks - Craniopharyngioma: 3 million units into ommaya reservoir 3 times weekly for 4 weeks
All other indications for children should be protocol driven
Peginterferon alfa-2b (UNITRON PEG):
Children's Oncology Group protocol AOST0331:
- Osteosarcoma 0.5-1 mcg/kg SC once weekly
- Flu-like symptoms (fever, rigors, fatigue, arthralgia, headache, myalgia, chills) begin 2-6 hours after dose given and may last up to 24 hours- patients usually develop tolerance to these effects
- Acute hypersensitivity reactions (<5%), urticaria, angioedema, bronchoconstriction, anaphylaxis
- Injection site reaction- burning, pain, local erythema
- Hypotension, arrhythmias (<5%)
- Rash, alopecia (8-38%), pruritis
- Anorexia, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, taste alteration, sweating, dizziness
- Myelosuppression (neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia), hemolytic anemia
- Increased transaminases, alkaline phosphatase
- Alteration of mental status (depression, confusion, impaired concentration, emotional liability)
- Increased BUN, serum creatinine, hyperuricemia, hyperglycemia
- Ocular changes (loss of visual acuity or visual field - rare)
**Treatment for unusual side effects available from the study chair identified on the front page of the protocol and/or pharmacy
- Monitor baseline EKG, opthalmic evaluation, CBC with differential, electrolytes, T4/TSH, liver and renal function tests, blood glucose, weight
- Maintain adequate hydration to minimize hypotension
- Pretreatment with acetaminophen (30 minutes prior to dose) may decrease fever and headache
- Concurrent use of interferon and the Chinese herbal remedy Shosaikoto (Xiao Chai Hu Tang) increases the risk of interstitial pneumonitis and may result in fatality
- Giving the drug at bedtime may decrease minor side effects
- BRANDS OF INTERFERON ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE
- This medication (lyophilized powder for injection only) contains albumin or human blood products. Consent (Informed Consent for Transfusion of Blood/Blood Products - form #1084) is required prior to administration to the patient.