What is Actimmune: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 31, 2020

Actimmune overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Actimmune

Generic Names:

  • Actimmune

Uses:

  • Treats infections related to chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Also slows the progression of severe malignant osteopetrosis (SMO).

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antineoplastic Agent, Antiproliferative Agent, Immunological Agent

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Actimmune used for?

Actimmune is prescribed to people with osteopetrosis and chronic granulomatous. Actimmune is part of the Interferon Gammas class and is made from human proteins. It helps the body fight off serious infections.

What form(s) does Actimmune come in

  • Injectable

What are common Actimmune doses?

  • Vial 0.5ML of 2000000UNIT/0.5ML

Common Actimmune prescriptions

  • Actimmune
    0.5ml of 100mcg/0.5ml vial

How to take Actimmune

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • You might have fewer side effects if you use the medicine just before bedtime. Ask your doctor if you can take acetaminophen to prevent or relieve side effects.

  • Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Do not shake the vial. Each vial is for single use only. Throw away the vial and any medicine left in it after use.

  • The medicine should look clear. Do not use it if it is not clear.

  • Do not mix this medicine with other medicines in the same syringe.

  • Missed dose: Use your medicine as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next regular dose. Never use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Do not use any vial that has been left out of the refrigerator for more than 12 hours. Throw it away.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • Do not shake the vial. Each vial is for single use only. Throw away the vial and any medicine left in it after use.

  • Missed dose: Use your medicine as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next regular dose. Never use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.

  • You might have fewer side effects if you use the medicine just before bedtime. Ask your doctor if you can take acetaminophen to prevent or relieve side effects.

  • The medicine should look clear. Do not use it if it is not clear.

  • Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Do not use any vial that has been left out of the refrigerator for more than 12 hours. Throw it away.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Do not mix this medicine with other medicines in the same syringe.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

What to do if you miss a dose of Actimmune

Actimmune contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to interferon gamma-1b.

Actimmune warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, heart disease, or seizures or other problems with the nervous system. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex

  • This medicine may cause dizziness, confusion, or clumsiness. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. These side effects could be worse if you also drink alcohol.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Actimmune interactions

  • Several other medicines may interact with interferon. Tell you doctor about all other medicines you use.

  • This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Actimmune side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate, lower back or side pain, difficult or painful urination

  • Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Dizziness, confusion, trouble walking

  • Severe fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Headache

  • Redness, swelling, or pain where the shot was given

  • Mild fever, chills, tiredness

  • Muscle or joint pain

  • Nausea, vomiting

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