Intron A

Brand Names

Intron A

What is Intron A

Intron A is a medicine that is used to cure hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, follicular lymphoma, Kaposi's sarcoma caused by AIDS and certain types of genital warts. It is also used to treat chronic hepatitis B or C. This medicine is made from human proteins.

Side effects of Intron A

Side effects of Intron A are the followings:

• dizziness, spinning sensation;
• muscle pain, tired feeling;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
• dry mouth, dry cough, sore throat, hair loss;
• mild itching or skin rash;
• burning, bleeding, pain, itching or skin changes where the medicine was injected.

But if you have any of these serious sings of severe allergic reactions it is necessary to visit your doctor immediately:

• 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 usual 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 speech or balance;
• a severe blistering, peeling and red skin rash.

Indication

Intron A is used to cure hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, follicular lymphoma, Kaposi's sarcoma caused by AIDS and certain types of genital warts. It is also used to treat chronic hepatitis B or C.

Precautions

Before taking Intron A you should inform your doctor if you have:

• diabetes;
• cancer;
• bone marrow suppression;
• a bleeding disorder;
• a thyroid disorder;
• breathing problems;
• 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;
• if you have recently received an organ transplant.

Dosage forms

Intron A is given as an injection into a muscle, under the skin or directly into a genital wart. It may also be given through a needle placed into a vein. The recommended dose for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia is 2 million IU/m2 3 times a week for up to 6 months.