Formulary
Interferon beta: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Interferon beta clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Interferon beta: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Interferon beta clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**General use**
- **Adult** (By Subcutaneous Injection): (consult product literature).
Cautions
History of cardiac disorders; history of depressive disorders (avoid in severe depression or in those with suicidal ideation); history of seizures; history of severe myelosupression Cautions, further information Consult product literature for further information on cautions.
Contraindications
Severe depressive illness Contra-indications, further information Consult product literature for further information on contra-indications.
Side effects
General side-effects: Common or very common Alopecia; appetite decreased; arthralgia; asthenia; chills; confusion; depression; diarrhoea; fever; headaches; hypothyroidism; influenza like illness (decreasing over time); insomnia; malaise; menstrual cycle irregularities; nausea; pain; skin reactions; vasodilation; vomiting; weight changes Uncommon Emotional lability; glomerulosclerosis; hepatic disorders; nephrotic syndrome; seizure; thrombocytopenia Rare or very rare Cardiomyopathy; dyspnoea; haemolytic uraemic syndrome; hyperthyroidism; thrombotic microangiopathy Frequency not known Anxiety; chest pain; dizziness; injection site necrosis; muscle weakness; palpitations; pulmonary arterial hypertension Specific side-effects: Common or very common With intramuscular use Muscle complaints; musculoskeletal stiffness; neuromuscular dysfunction; rhinorrhoea; sensation abnormal; sweat changes With subcutaneous use Anaemia; tachycardia Uncommon With subcutaneous use Suicide attempt Rare or very rare With subcutaneous use Bronchospasm; pancreatitis; thyroid disorder Frequency not known With intramuscular use Angioedema; arrhythmias; arthritis; congestive heart failure; hypersensitivity; neurological effects; pancytopenia; psychosis; suicide; syncope; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) With subcutaneous use Abdominal pain; abscess; capillary leak syndrome; conjunctivitis; constipation; cough aggravated; ear pain; erectile dysfunction; eye disorder; hyperhidrosis; hypertension; increased risk of infection; lupus-like syndrome; lymphadenopathy; muscle tone increased; myalgia; paraesthesia; peripheral oedema; urinary disorders; visual impairment
Pregnancy
Manufacturer advises use if clinically needed-possible toxicity in animal studies, but limited human data do not suggest an increased risk.
Breast feeding
Manufacturer advises suitable for use during breast feeding-amount in milk probably too small to be harmful (recommendation also supported by specialist sources).
Hepatic impairment
Manufacturer advises caution; avoid in decompensated liver disease.
Renal impairment
Manufacturer advises caution in severe impairment.
Medicinal forms
Solution,Solution
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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