What is Intron A: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Intron A overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Intron A

Generic Names:

  • Intron A

Uses:

  • Treats hepatitis, cancer, and genital warts.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antineoplastic Agent, Antiproliferative Agent, Antiviral, Immunological Agent

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Intron A used for?

Intron A is a form of protein used in the treatment of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.It works by targeting the cell’s growth. It also improves immune system levels to fight off virus infections. Intron A can be used to treat other cancerous and virus infections such as leukemia, chronic hepatitis B, melanoma, hepatitis C, and condylomata acuminata.

What form(s) does Intron A come in

  • Injectable

What are common Intron A doses?

  • Vial 3.7999999523162842ML of 6000000UNIT/ML

  • Vial 3.2000000476837158ML of 10000000UNIT/ML

  • Solution Reconstituted 10000000UNIT

Common Intron A prescriptions

  • Intron A
    10000000unit solution reconstituted

  • Intron A
    18000000unit solution reconstituted

  • Intron A
    50000000unit solution reconstituted

  • Intron A
    3.2ml of 10000000unit/ml vial

  • Intron A
    3.8ml of 6000000unit/ml vial

How to take Intron A

  • 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, into a muscle, or into a vein.

  • 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.

  • Do not save an open vial or syringe. Do not use the medicine if it has changed color or has particles in it.

  • Allow the solution to warm to room temperature before you inject it.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

  • Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

  • 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 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.

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

  • Allow the solution to warm to room temperature before you inject it.

  • Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

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

  • 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, into a muscle, or into a vein.

  • Do not save an open vial or syringe. Do not use the medicine if it has changed color or has particles in it.

  • Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

What to do if you miss a dose of Intron A

Intron A contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to interferon alfa-2b, or if you have autoimmune hepatitis.

Intron A warnings

  • This medicine may cause birth defects if either partner is using it together with ribavirin during conception or pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant. Female patients and female partners of male patients must use 2 forms of birth control during treatment and for 6 months after treatment ends. Female patients must have regular pregnancy tests during combination treatment.

  • Vision changes

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with speech or movement

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever

  • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

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

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

  • This medicine may make you tired or unable to concentrate. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

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

  • The powder form of this medicine contains albumin, which comes from human blood. All donated blood is tested for certain viruses. Although your risk for getting a virus from the medicine is very low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including cirrhosis), bleeding problems, colitis, diabetes, eye or vision problems, heart or blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, high triglyceride levels, lung disease (such as COPD), thyroid problems, or an autoimmune disorder (such as lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or sarcoidosis). Tell your doctor if you have a history of stroke, blood clots, heart attack, depression, mental health problems, or addiction to drugs or alcohol.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Depression, unusual moods or behaviors, thoughts of hurting yourself or othersHeart problemsNew or worsening diabetes, thyroid problems, or autoimmune disordersNew or worsening lung or liver problemsInflammation of the pancreas or intestinesVision changes or eye problems

Intron A interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how interferon alfa-2b works. Tell your doctor if you are using telbivudine, theophylline, or zidovudine.

  • The powder form of this medicine contains albumin, which comes from human blood. All donated blood is tested for certain viruses. Although your risk for getting a virus from the medicine is very low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Depression, unusual moods or behaviors, thoughts of hurting yourself or othersHeart problemsNew or worsening diabetes, thyroid problems, or autoimmune disordersNew or worsening lung or liver problemsInflammation of the pancreas or intestinesVision changes or eye problems

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including cirrhosis), bleeding problems, colitis, diabetes, eye or vision problems, heart or blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, high triglyceride levels, lung disease (such as COPD), thyroid problems, or an autoimmune disorder (such as lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or sarcoidosis). Tell your doctor if you have a history of stroke, blood clots, heart attack, depression, mental health problems, or addiction to drugs or alcohol.

  • This medicine may make you tired or unable to concentrate. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • 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.

Intron A side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Diarrhea that contains blood

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with speech or movement

  • Depression, unusual moods or behaviors, thoughts of hurting yourself or others

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

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

  • Chest pain or trouble breathing

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose

  • Vision changes

  • Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

  • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Headache, joint or muscle pain

  • Hair loss

  • Diarrhea, loss of appetite

  • Mild skin rash, redness, itching, or bruising where the shot was given