Table 1.
Commercially available interferon products
| Product | Brand Name | FDA-Approved Indications | Usual Doses in Adults for Treatment of Indicated Infections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interferon-α2a & Peginterferon-α2a injection |
Roferon-A Pegasys |
Chronic HCV, hairy cell leukemia and AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma Chronic HBV, HCV |
3 million units SC 3 times/wk 180 μg SC every wk × 24 or 48 wk |
| Interferon-α2b & Peginterferon-α2b injection |
Intron A Peg-Intron, Sylatron |
Chronic HBV, chronic HCV, condylomata acuminuta, hairy cell leukemia, follicular lymphoma, and AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma Chronic HCV, melanoma |
3 million units SC 3 times/wk 1.5 μg/kg SC every wk × 24 or 48 wk |
| Interferon alfacon injection | Infergen | Chronic HCV | 15 μg SC daily with ribavirin for retreatment of IFN refractory disease |
| Interferon-αn3 injection | Alferon N | Refractory or recurring external condylomata acuminata | Intralesional injection of 250,000 IU (0.05 mL) per wart twice weekly for up to 8 wk |
| Interferon-β1a injection | Avonex Rebif |
Relapsing multiple sclerosis | Not indicated for infection |
| Interferon-β1b injection | Betaseron | Relapsing multiple sclerosis | Not indicated for infection |
| Interferon-γ1b injection | ACTIMMUNE | Reduction in the frequency and severity of serious infections associated with CGD or treatment of severe, malignant osteopetrosis | 50 μg/m2 (1 million IU/m2) for patients whose BSA is greater than 0.5 m2 SC 3 times/wk |
| Imiquimod 5% topical cream | Aldara | Actinic keratoses of the face or scalp, superficial basal cell carcinoma, external genital and perianal warts/condyloma acuminata | Apply topically 3 times/wk until total clearance of warts or a maximum of 16 wk |
| Imiquimod 3.75% cream | Zyclara | Actinic keratoses of the full face or balding scalp, external genital and perianal warts/condyloma acuminata | Apply once daily to the warts until total clearance or up to 8 wk |
Abbreviations: AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; BSA, body surface area; CGD, chronic granulomatous disease; HBV, hepatitis B virus infection; HCV, hepatitis C virus infection; IU, international units; SC, subcutaneously.