Home Drug Guide Interferon Alfa-n3

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Interferon Alfa-n3

Brand Names Alferon N Injection

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiviral, immunomodulator

Pharmacological: Interferon, cytokine

FDA Approved Indications

  • Chronic refractory (non-responders or intolerant to other therapy) recurrent genital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11

Mechanism of Action

Interferon alfa-n3 works by enhancing the host immune response to viral infections and inhibiting viral replication through modulation of the immune system, including increasing the activity of natural killer cells and macrophages.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Administer intralesionally at a dose of 1 million IU three times weekly for up to 16 weeks. Dose may vary based on clinical response.

Pediatric: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric: No specific adjustments recommended, but monitor closely for adverse effects.

Renal Impairment: No specific dosage adjustment recommended; however, renal function should be monitored.

Hepatic Impairment: Use caution; monitor liver function closely.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Poorly absorbed when administered subcutaneously; mainly acts locally.

Distribution: Lesional tissue distributes the drug locally; systemic distribution is limited.

Metabolism: Metabolized by cells with interferon receptors; hepatic metabolism is minimal.

Excretion: Excreted in urine; clearance may be reduced in renal impairment.

Half Life: Approximately 2-3 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to interferons or any component of the product.
  • Autoimmune diseases.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, or psychiatric conditions. Monitor for depression, suicidal ideation, or other neuropsychiatric effects. Pregnancy category C; use only if clearly needed, weighing benefits against risks.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • flu-like symptoms (Common)
  • fatigue (Common)
  • headache (Common)
  • myalgia (Common)
  • chills (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • neuropsychiatric effects (depression, suicidal ideation) (Rare)
  • Hepatotoxicity (elevated liver enzymes, hepatitis) (Rare)
  • Blood dyscrasias (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia) (Rare)
  • Severe allergic reactions (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Cytotoxic agents, other immunosuppressants may increase the risk of infection or reduce efficacy.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for adverse effects, including neuropsychiatric symptoms, liver function, blood counts, and signs of infection.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection,
  • Impaired skin integrity,
  • Risk for psychiatric disturbances.

Implementation: Administer as prescribed, monitor for adverse reactions, educate patient about potential side effects and when to report symptoms.

Evaluation: Assess effectiveness by reduction in lesion size, symptom improvement, and tolerability of therapy.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report any severe side effects immediately.
  • Understand the importance of adherence to the injection schedule.
  • Be aware of signs of depression, liver problems, or allergic reactions.
  • Maintain follow-up appointments for monitoring.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Neuropsychiatric effects, including depression and suicidal ideation.
  • Hepatotoxicity and autoimmune disorders.

Genetic Factors: Genetic variations may influence response and risk of adverse effects, but specific markers are under research.

Lab Test Interference: Can cause false elevations of serum enzyme levels, such as liver enzymes.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms, neuropsychiatric symptoms, or hypersensitivity reactions.

Treatment: Supportive care; symptomatic treatment as needed. No specific antidote.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store in a refrigerator at 2-8°C.

Stability: Stable for up to 30 days at room temperature, but refrigeration is preferred to maintain potency.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.