Type of medicine: antiviral; biological response modulator; immune system booster
Generic and brand names: interferon alfa-n3, injection; Alferon N
This medicine is given by injection to treat condylomata acuminata (venereal or genital warts). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
The medicine is injected directly into the warts. Injections are given by your healthcare provider, usually twice a week for up to 8Â weeks. Keep all your appointments for injections.
If you become depressed or have thoughts of suicide while receiving this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.
While you are receiving these shots, you need regular blood tests to find out how this medicine is affecting your blood. Keep all appointments for these important tests.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
Men being treated for venereal or genital warts should use condoms during sexual intercourse to prevent the spread of the warts to their partner.
This medicine may cause chills, fever, muscle or joint pain, and headache. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) will help to relieve these symptoms. Check with your healthcare provider.
This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and clearheaded.
This medicine is made from human blood. It is tested for viruses such as hepatitis and HIV. The risk of getting an infection from this medicine is very low, but it is still possible. Talk with your health care provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever and chills, severe headache, severe muscle or joint pain.
Other: Tiredness, loss of appetite, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, soreness where the shot was given, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, mild headache, dizziness, back pain.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
