Side Effects of Interferon
Interferon is an antiviral drug that also goes under the brand name of Betaseron.The drug is a man-made copy of a blood protein that's made naturally in the body by some types of white blood cells as an immune response to counteract an infection. It's best to know the function and side effects of interferon before you take it.
Other People Are Reading
-
Function
-
According Drug.com "Interferon is a drug used for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis." Interferon is not a cure for multiple sclerosis, but it is effective in reducing the frequency of relapses and will slow the rate of the development of its physical disability. It's also used to treat some types of cancers like multiple myeloma, leukemia and kidney cancer. Interferon can only be administered by injection.
Side Effects
-
The side effects of interferon may be listed as common side effects, occasional side effects and serious side effects. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting and upset stomach along with diarrhea or constipation. There may also be low-grade fever, chills, general malaise with aches and pains of the muscles and joints. Other common side effects include swelling at the injection site, headache and drowsiness.
-
Occasional Side Effects
-
Some people taking interferon may suffer a loss of appetite or, if they take the drug for prolonged periods of time, thinning of the hair. Depression, excessive sleepiness and confusion may occur, mostly in older patients. Loss of fertility may affect men and women. Men may become unable to father a child and women may develop amenorrhea (absence of the menstrual cycle).
Serious Side Effects
-
The most serious side effects of interferon include severe headaches, dizziness and nervousness with severe anxiety and severe stomach ache. Discoloration or breakdown off the skin at the site of injection or unexplained bruising, bleeding or signs of jaundice in the skin or the whites of the eyes. In addition there may be hot and cold feelings, chest pains and suicidal thoughts and behavior. Seek immediate medical attention for any of these side effects.
Allergic Reaction
-
An allergic reaction is a serious life-threatening medical emergency. Seek immediate medical attention for any of the following signs and symptoms: itching, a rash, or hives, or swelling of the face mouth throat and tongue or shortness of breath and difficult breathing.
Considerations
-
To avoid drug interactions discuss with your doctor your past medical history and all medications you may be taking including vitamins or other over the counter medications. Interferon should not be taken if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Do not use interferon if you are allergic to it or have an allergy to human albumin.
-
