Can you take Interferon alfa-2b with Interferon beta-1b?
1 drug interaction and 27 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- interferon alfa-2b
- interferon beta-1b
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
interferon alfa-2b interferon beta-1b
Applies to: interferon alfa-2b and interferon beta-1b
Interferon beta-1b may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as interferon alfa-2b may increase that risk.
You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications.
Call your doctor immediately if you have:
- fever
- chills
- joint pain or swelling
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- skin rash
- itching
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- dark urine
- pale stools
- and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes
These may be signs and symptoms of liver damage.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
interferon beta-1b Alcohol (Ethanol)
Applies to: interferon beta-1b
Interferon beta-1b may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as ethanol (alcohol) may increase that risk.
You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications.
Call your doctor immediately if you have:
- fever
- chills
- joint pain or swelling
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- skin rash
- itching
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- dark urine
- pale stools
- and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes
These may be signs and symptoms of liver damage.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Disease interactions
26 potential interactions Applies to: 17 conditions, including Depression, Underactive Thyroid, Heart Failure, Seizures, and Peripheral Neuropathy.
Arrhythmia
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Arrhythmia.
Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.
Major:
interferon beta-1b
Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Arrhythmia.
Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.
Autoimmune Disorders
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Autoimmune Disorders.
Antiviral interferons may exacerbate autoimmune disorders such as myositis, thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or autoimmune hepatitis. Therapy should be avoided or administered with extreme caution in patients with autoimmune disorders.
Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts
Moderate:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a moderate potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.
Interferons (alfa and gamma) induce a dose-dependent, generally mild, myelosuppression. Leukopenia is the primary manifestation. Thrombocytopenia and anemia occur less frequently. Therapy with interferons (alfa and gamma) should be administered cautiously to patients with bone marrow suppression. Clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.
Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.
Major:
interferon beta-1b
Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.
Depression
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Depression.
Interferons (alfa or beta) can induce depression and suicidal behavior. Suicidal attempts and suicides have been reported. Therapy with interferons (alfa or beta) should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to mental depression. Clinical monitoring of psychological status is recommended.
Major:
interferon beta-1b
Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Depression.
Interferons (alfa or beta) can induce depression and suicidal behavior. Suicidal attempts and suicides have been reported. Therapy with interferons (alfa or beta) should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to mental depression. Clinical monitoring of psychological status is recommended.
Diabetes Mellitus
Moderate:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.
Flu-like symptoms frequently associated with interferon-alfa therapy can precipitate ketoacidosis in diabetic patients. Therapy with interferon alfa should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus. Clinical monitoring of blood glucose concentrations and anti-diabetic therapy is recommended.
Heart Failure
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.
Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.
Major:
interferon beta-1b
Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.
Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.
Hyperthyroidism
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid abnormalities, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, have been reported in patients administered interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously to patients with thyroid dysfunction. If thyroid control cannot be maintained within normal limits with medication, interferon-alfa should be discontinued. Clinical monitoring of thyroid function is recommended.
Ischemic Heart Disease
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Ischemic Heart Disease.
Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.
Major:
interferon beta-1b
Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Ischemic Heart Disease.
Hypertension, arrhythmias, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered with caution in patients with compromised cardiac function.
Liver Disease
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Hepatotoxicity, including fatal cases, has been reported in patients treated with interferon alpha. Additionally, the risk of hepatic decompensation and death is increased in patients with cirrhosis. Any patient developing liver function abnormalities during treatment should be monitored closely and treatment should be discontinued if appropriate. Interferon-alfa is contraindicated in patients with autoimmune hepatitis and decompensated liver disease.
Major:
interferon beta-1b
Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Severe hepatic injury, including hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, cases of hepatic failure and asymptomatic transient increases in the concentrations of serum transaminases, have been reported in patients treated with beta interferons. In some cases, these events have occurred in the presence of other drugs that have been associated with hepatic injury. The potential risk of these agents used in combination with known hepatotoxic drugs or other products (e.g., alcohol) should be considered before starting therapy, or before starting hepatotoxic drugs. Patients should be monitored for signs of hepatic injury, including the regular monitoring of liver function tests, and discontinuation of therapy should be considered if serum transaminase levels significantly increase or if hepatic injury occurs.
Parkinsonism
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Parkinsonism.
Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.
Major:
interferon beta-1b
Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Parkinsonism.
Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Moderate:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a moderate potential interaction with Peripheral Neuropathy.
Paresthesia and numbness have been reported during interferon therapy. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to peripheral neuropathy.
Psychosis
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Psychosis.
Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.
Major:
interferon beta-1b
Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Psychosis.
Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.
Renal Dysfunction
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Proteinuria (rare), not associated with a decrease in serum protein, is the most common renal toxicity observed with interferon- alfa therapy. Increased BUN and serum creatinine levels, hematuria, acute renal failure and nephrotic syndrome have also been reported. Therapy with interferon alfa should be administered cautiously to patients with severe renal dysfunction. Renal function should be evaluated in all patients before initiation of interferon- alfa therapy. In addition, patients with any degree of renal impairment should be carefully monitored for laboratory abnormalities and decreased creatinine clearance. A reduced dose of medication is recommended in patients with low CrCl (less than 50 mL/min - 30 mL/min).
Seizures
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Seizures.
Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.
Major:
interferon beta-1b
Interferon beta-1b has a major potential interaction with Seizures.
Reversible CNS effects such as seizures, mental status changes, manic behavior or psychotic reactions, gait disturbances, and dizziness have occurred in patients receiving interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to seizures, psychiatric disorders, or conditions affecting posture or gait.
Ulcerative Colitis
Moderate:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a moderate potential interaction with Ulcerative Colitis.
Fatal and nonfatal ulcerative or hemorrhagic/ischemic colitis have been observed within 12 weeks of the start of alpha interferon treatment. Abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and fever are the typical manifestations. Treatment should be discontinued immediately in patients who develop these signs and symptoms. The colitis usually resolves within 1 to 3 weeks of discontinuation of alpha interferons.
Underactive Thyroid
Major:
interferon alfa-2b
Interferon alfa-2b has a major potential interaction with Underactive Thyroid.
Thyroid abnormalities, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, have been reported in patients administered interferons. Therapy with interferons should be administered cautiously to patients with thyroid dysfunction. If thyroid control cannot be maintained within normal limits with medication, interferon-alfa should be discontinued. Clinical monitoring of thyroid function is recommended.
More resources
interferon alfa-2b
A total of 272 drugs are known to interact with interferon alfa-2b.
- Interferon alfa-2b is in the drug class antineoplastic interferons.
- Interferon alfa-2b is used to treat the following conditions:
interferon beta-1b
A total of 361 drugs are known to interact with interferon beta-1b.
- Interferon beta-1b is in the drug class interferons.
- Interferon beta-1b is used to treat Multiple Sclerosis.
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.