Who should not use interferons?
• Individuals who have experienced an allergic reaction to interferons should not take this medication. • A “black box” warning has been issued by the FDA warning patients and clinicians to watch for serious psychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic, or infectious disease disorders that may be side effects of interferons. Caution is especially urged if patients already have a history of depression or another serious psychiatric condition. • Pegylated interferon is not used in newborn infants (it contains benzyl alcohol), in patients with autoimmune hepatitis, or in those with severe liver failure (it may cause a temporary increase in liver inflammation, which a failing liver could not handle). • The safety and efficacy of pegylated interferon has not been established in patients under the age of 18. Dosing of interferons Interferons are administered by a subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdomen at various dosage schedules. Interferon alfa-2b is approved for children as young as one yea
