Ismail Hossain Siragee Interferon

INTERFERON
Introduction
lnterferon [in ter FEER on] is a family of naturally occurring inducible glycoproteins that interfere with the
ability of viruses to infect cells. This is a small protein messenger called cytokine produced by the immune
system in response to viral infections. Structurally, they are part of the helical cytokine family which are
characterized by an amino acid chain that is 145-166 amino acids long. At present the interferons are
synthesized by recombinant DNA technology. There are three types of interferon: alpha, beta and gamma.
As far as treatment option, interferon alpha is the most effective one.
Mechanism of action
The medication "Interferon Alpha" is a man made synthetic reproduction that mimics the activity of
naturally occuring interferon alpha produced by the immune system. Interferons exert complex antiviral,
immunomodulatory, and antiproliferative activities through cellular metabolic processes involving
synthesis of both RNA and protein. They appear to function by binding to specific membrane receptors on
the cell surface and initiating a series of intracellular events that include enzyme induction, suppression of
cell proliferation, immunomodulatory activities, and inhibition of virus replication.
Pharmacokinetics
In chronic hepatitis B Interferon alfa-2b is given by Subcutaneous or intramuscularly. In Chronic
hepatitis C Pegylated interferon alfa-2b is given subcutaneously. Interferon alfa-2a and interferon alfa-
2b may be administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, while interferon alfacon-1 is administered
subcutaneously. Maximum serum concentrations occur approximately 4 hours after intramuscular
administration and approximately 7 hours after subcutaneous administration; elimination half-life is 2–
5 hours for interferon alfa-2a and 2b, depending on the route of administration. The half-life of
interferon alfacon-1 in patients with chronic hepatitis C ranged from 6 hours to 10 hours. Alfa
interferons are filtered at the glomeruli and undergo rapid proteolytic degradation during tubular
reabsorption, such that detection in the systemic circulation is negligible. Liver metabolism and
subsequent biliary excretion are considered minor pathways
Side effects
The most common side effects are flu-like symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, joint aches,
fevers/chills and feeling sick vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling tired, and diarrhea, depression, mood
swings, poor concentration, vagueness. Less common effects may include; metallic taste, dry skin dry
mouth, loss or thinning of hair (temporary), pins and needles in the hands and toes, difficulty sleeping.
Adverse effect and contraindication
Potential adverse effects include thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia, elevation in serum
aminotransferase levels, induction of autoantibodies, nausea, fatigue, headache, arthralgias, rash,
alopecia, anorexia, hypotension, and edema. Severe neuropsychiatric side effects may occur.
Absolute contraindications to therapy are psychosis, severe depression, neutropenia,
thrombocytopenia, symptomatic heart disease, decompensated cirrhosis, uncontrolled seizures, and a
history of organ transplantation (other than liver). Alfa interferons are abortifacient in primates and
should not be administered in pregnancy.
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated with zidovudine (increases the risk of blood toxicity), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital),
theophylline, vidarabine, other drugs which depress the immune system (e.g., anti-cancer type), drugs that
make you drowsy such as: sedatives, sleep medication, psychiatric drugs, drugs for anxiety (e.g.,
diazepam), antiseizure drugs (e.g., phenytoin), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), certain antihistamines.