Infergen Side Effects

Generic name: interferon alfacon-1

Note: This document provides detailed information about Infergen Side Effects associated with interferon alfacon-1. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Infergen.

Applies to interferon alfacon-1: subcutaneous solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Subcutaneous route (solution)

May cause or aggravate fatal or life-threatening neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic, and infectious disorders.

Monitor closely and withdraw therapy with persistently severe or worsening signs or symptoms of the above disorders.

Use with ribavirin: Ribavirin may cause birth defects and fetal death; avoid pregnancy in female patients and in female partners of male patients.

Ribavirin causes hemolytic anemia, which may exacerbate cardiac disease.

Serious side effects of Infergen

Along with its needed effects, interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking interferon alfacon-1:

More common side effects

• anxiety
• black, tarry stools
• blood in the urine or stools
• body aches or pain
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain
• confusion
• congestion
• cough or hoarseness
• crying
• delusions
• dementia
• depersonalization
• depression
• diarrhea
• difficult or labored breathing
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• dysphoria
• euphoria
• feeling unusually cold
• fever or chills
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• increased sweating
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• mental depression
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea
• nervousness
• painful or difficult urination
• paranoia
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• quick to react or overreact emotionally
• rapidly changing moods
• redness at the place of injection
• runny nose
• shivering
• shortness of breath
• sore throat
• sweating
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• tightness in the chest
• trouble with sleeping
• trouble with swallowing
• trouble with thinking or concentrating
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• voice changes
• wheezing

Less common side effects

• irregular heartbeat

Rare side effects

• blurred vision or loss of vision
• skin rash, hives, or itching

Incidence not known

• abdominal or stomach pain
• bleeding gums
• bloody or black, tarry stools
• change in walking and balance
• clay-colored stools
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• confusion
• constipation
• coughing up blood
• dark-colored urine
• decreased urination
• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• full or bloated feeling
• increase in heart rate
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• lightheadedness
• loss of consciousness
• muscle cramps or spasms
• nosebleeds
• paralysis
• pressure in the stomach
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• rapid, shallow breathing
• red or black, tarry stools
• red or dark brown urine
• seizures
• severe stomach pain
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• sunken eyes
• swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
• thirst
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• unpleasant breath odor
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• wrinkled skin
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of Infergen

Some side effects of interferon alfacon-1 may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• aching muscles
• back pain
• belching
• decreased appetite
• difficulty with moving
• feeling of warmth
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hair loss
• heartburn or indigestion
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of memory
• muscle pain or stiffness
• pain in the back or joints
• pain in the limbs, muscles, or neck
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• problems with memory
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• sleeplessness
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• stuffy nose
• sudden sweating
• swollen joints
• thinning of the hair
• unable to sleep
• weight loss

Incidence not known

• being forgetful
• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bone pain
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• change in vision
• difficulty with moving
• difficulty with speaking
• false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
• hearing loss
• pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
• red, irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

Interferon alfacon-1 may cause a temporary loss of some hair. After treatment has ended, normal hair growth should return.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to interferon alfacon-1: injectable solution.

General adverse events

A broad range of serious side effects have been reported with interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) alone or in combination with ribavirin. During clinical trials, more than 560 and 480 patients were exposed to monotherapy and combination therapy, respectively. In monotherapy studies, influenza-like symptoms (i.e., headache, fatigue, fever, rigors, myalgia, arthralgia, and increased sweating) were reported most often and depression was the most common side effect resulting in drug discontinuation. In the interferon alfacon-1 plus ribavirin combination therapy study, fatigue, nausea, influenza-like symptoms, headache, arthralgia, myalgia, neutropenia, leukopenia, insomnia, and depression were the most commonly reported side effects and fatigue, anemia, and depression were the most common side effects resulting in drug discontinuation. The most common serious adverse reactions reported with combination therapy were neutropenia, suicidal ideation, and hyperuricemia.^[Ref]

Other

Other side effects have included fatigue (up to 77%), rigors (up to 66%), fever/pyrexia (up to 61%), body pain (up to 54%), influenza-like illness/symptoms (up to 42%), chest pain (up to 13%), malaise (up to 11%), asthenia (up to 10%), hot flushes, peripheral edema, access pain, earache, taste perversion, and otitis.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache (up to 82%), insomnia (up to 39%), dizziness (up to 25%), paresthesia (up to 13%), hypoesthesia (up to 10%), amnesia (up to 10%), hypertonia, somnolence, taste perversion, confusion, tinnitus, and hyperesthesia. Ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events have been reported. Vestibular side effects associated with interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) have been mild and infrequent. Hearing loss, hearing impairment, speech disorder, ataxia, gait abnormal, convulsions, loss of consciousness, memory impairment, and tremors have been reported during postmarketing experience.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea (up to 45%), abdominal pain (up to 41%), diarrhea (up to 29%), anorexia (up to 24%), dyspepsia (up to 21%), vomiting (up to 19%), decreased appetite (up to 18%), constipation (up to 10%), flatulence, toothache, decreased saliva output, ulcerative stomatitis, hemorrhoids, and gingivitis. Hemorrhagic/ischemic colitis (sometimes fatal) and pancreatitis (sometimes fatal) have been reported. Abdominal distention, gastrointestinal bleeding, and gastritis have been reported during postmarketing experience.^[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included leukopenia (up to 34%), neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia, anemia, lymphocytosis, ecchymosis, lymphadenopathy, and increased prothrombin time. Decreases in hemoglobin (monotherapy: 4%; combination therapy: 88%), hematocrit (monotherapy: 5%), total white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), and platelet count have been reported. Hemolytic anemia (30%), ANC levels less than 0.75 x 10(9)/L (up to 27%), and lymphopenia (up to 14%) have been reported during combination therapy with ribavirin. Platelets decreased to less than 50 x 10(9) cells/L in 3% of patients during monotherapy and to less than 40 x 10(9)/L (but not less than 25 x 10(9)/L) in up to 3% of patients during combination therapy with ribavirin. Hemorrhage has been reported during postmarketing experience.^[Ref]

Higher doses of interferon alfacon-1 were associated with a greater incidence of leukopenia and granulocytopenia and required dose reductions in 33% of patients receiving secondary therapy.

Decreases from baseline of 20% or more in hemoglobin or hematocrit were reported in less than or equal to 1% of patients during monotherapy trials. During the combination interferon alfacon-1 plus ribavirin trial, decreases in hemoglobin levels of greater than or equal to 2 g/dL from baseline were reported in 88% of patients. Of these, 27% had hemoglobin levels decrease to less than or equal to 10 g/dL, and underwent dose reductions of ribavirin.

By the end of initial monotherapy treatment, mean decreases from baseline of 19% for white blood cells (WBCs) and 23% for absolute neutrophil count (ANC) were reported. In patients subsequently retreated with monotherapy, mean decreases from baseline up to 23% for WBCs and up to 27% for ANC were reported.

Decreases in mean platelet count of 16% compared to baseline were observed by the end of monotherapy. Grade 4 thrombocytopenia was reported in one patient during the alfacon-1 plus ribavirin combination trial.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included nervousness (up to 31%), depression (up to 27%), irritability (up to 21%), abnormal thinking (up to 20%), anxiety (up to 19%), emotional lability (up to 12%), agitation, decreased libido, and apathy. Delusions and hallucinations have been reported during postmarketing experience.^[Ref]

Depression was usually mild to moderate in severity in patients receiving interferon alfacon-1 therapy during clinical studies.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included myalgia (up to 58%), arthralgia (up to 51%), back pain (up to 42%), limb pain (up to 26%), skeletal pain (up to 14%), neck pain (up to 14%), and musculoskeletal disorder. Rhabdomyolysis, arthritis, and bone pain have been reported during postmarketing experience.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included hypotension, arrhythmia, tachycardia, cardiomyopathy, angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction. Palpitation and hypertension have been reported. At least one case of irreversible pulmonary artery hypertension has been reported.^[Ref]

A 36-year-old male with a history of intravenous drug use and alcoholism experienced irreversible pulmonary artery hypertension coincident with interferon alfacon-1 therapy. He was treated with interferon alfa-2a (3 million units/day) after he was found to have cirrhosis from Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol use. His viral load was 100,000 copies of stage IV fibrosis on liver biopsy. He was cleared of virus and received a liver transplant. Subsequently, he again became HCV positive (greater than 85,000 copies/mL) and was treated with interferon alfacon-1 (15 mcg/kg). Eight months into therapy, he developed progressive dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, and edema. He was found to have severe pulmonary hypertension on echocardiogram (PAP 81/30) with right heart failure. Other thromboembolic, inflammatory, and intrinsic cardiopulmonary causes were ruled out and interferon treatment was discontinued. He continues to experience severe refractory pulmonary hypertension.^[Ref]

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included conjunctivitis, abnormal vision, and eye pain. Decrease or loss of vision, retinopathy (including macular edema, retinal artery or vein thrombosis, retinal hemorrhages, cotton wool spots), optic neuritis, papilledema, and serous retinal detachment have been induced or aggravated by treatment with interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) Retinal artery or vein obstruction has been reported rarely. Visual field defect has been reported during postmarketing experience.^[Ref]

Immunologic

Immunologic side effects have included development of positive binding antibody responses (up to about 31%), development of low-titer neutralizing antibodies to interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) (up to 18%), and infection. Development or exacerbation of autoimmune disorders (e.g., autoimmune thrombocytopenia, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis, interstitial nephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus) has been reported. Sepsis has been reported during postmarketing experience.

Local

Local side effects have included injection site erythema (up to 23%), injection site reaction (up to 15%), pain, and ecchymosis. Injection site reaction, including injection site necrosis ulcer, and bruising have been reported during postmarketing experience.^[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included decreased weight (up to 22%), increased triglyceride levels (up to 7%), hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, and diabetes mellitus. Grade 4 uric acid levels (greater than 10 mg/dL) were reported in 49 patients during combination therapy with ribavirin. Dehydration has been reported during postmarketing experience.

Increases in serum triglyceride of 41% compared to baseline were observed at the end of monotherapy. During monotherapy treatment, 7% of patients developed values at least 3 times above pretreatment levels. Grade 3 or higher triglyceride elevations were reported in 2% of patients during the alfacon-1 plus ribavirin combination trial.

Serious adverse events related to elevated uric acid levels were reported in 4 patients during the alfacon-1 plus ribavirin combination trial.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included pharyngitis (up to 34%), cough (up to 22%), dyspnea (up to 20%), sinusitis (up to 17%), upper respiratory infection, rhinitis, respiratory tract congestion, upper respiratory tract congestion, epistaxis, and bronchitis.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included rash (up to 17%), pruritus (up to 15%), alopecia (up to 14%), increased sweating (up to 13%), erythema, dry skin, and wound. Bruising, pyoderma gangrenosum, and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported during postmarketing experience.

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects have included the occurrence or aggravation of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Abnormal thyroid function tests with increases in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and decreases in thyroxine (T4) mean values have been reported. Increased TSH to greater than 7 mU/L was reported in 10% of patients treated with monotherapy during the treatment period or during the 24-week posttreatment period. During the interferon alfacon-1 (the active ingredient contained in Infergen) plus ribavirin combination trial, increased TSH levels were reported in up to 14% of patients at Week 12 and up to 54% at Week 48.^[Ref]

Renal

Renal side effects have included increases in serum creatinine levels (including renal failure).

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included liver tenderness and hepatomegaly. Hepatic enzyme elevations (including ALT and AST elevations), abnormal hepatic function, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy have been reported during postmarketing experience.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included allergic reactions. Urticaria, angioedema, bronchoconstriction, and anaphylaxis have been rarely reported.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included dysmenorrhea, vaginitis, menstrual disorder, menorrhagia, genital moniliasis, breast mass, and breast pain.

Further information

Infergen side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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