Interferon Gamma

Class: Immunomodulatory Agents
- Cytokines
- Biologic Response Modifiers
VA Class: IM700
Chemical Name: N2-l-Methionyl-1-139-interferonγ (human lymphocyte protein moiety reduced)
Molecular Formula: C₇₃₄H₁₁₆₆N₂₀₄O₂₁₆S₅
CAS Number: 98059-61-1
Brands: Actimmune

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jul 22, 2021. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Biologic response modifier; biosynthetic (recombinant DNA origin) form of endogenous human interferon gamma.

Uses for Interferon Gamma

Chronic Granulomatous Disease

Reduction of the frequency and severity of serious infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use).

Osteopetrosis

Treatment to delay the time to disease progression in patients with severe, malignant osteopetrosis (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use).

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Interferon gamma-1b was investigated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis† (IPF) with mild-to-moderate lung function impairment in the INSPIRE study; the study was terminated early when interim data analysis indicated lack of benefit in patients receiving the drug. Interim analysis also indicated that 14.5% of patients receiving interferon gamma 1-b died compared with 12.7% of those receiving placebo.

Interferon gamma-1b is not approved for use in patients with IPF. FDA suggests that health-care professionals should discuss the results of this trial with their patients receiving the drug for IPF and carefully consider whether they should continue to receive treatment with interferon gamma-1b.

Interferon Gamma Dosage and Administration

General

• If home use is prescribed, carefully instruct patients and/or their caregivers in appropriate use; provide a puncture-resistant container for proper, safe disposal of used syringes and needles.

Administration

Sub-Q Administration

Administer by sub-Q injection 3 times weekly (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday).

Optimum sites for sub-Q injection include right and left deltoid and anterior thigh.

To minimize risk of flu-like syndrome, administer at bedtime and/or give acetaminophen to prevent or partially alleviate fever and headache.

Vials contain no preservative; discard any residual solution remaining in the vial after administration of the single dose.

Dosage

Each mg of interferon gamma-1b is approximately equivalent to 20 million international units (equivalent to the amount that formerly was expressed as 30 million units).

Pediatric Patients

Chronic Granulomatous Disease

Sub-Q

50 mcg/m² (1 million international units per m²) 3 times weekly for patients with body surface area (BSA) >0.5 m² and 1.5 mcg/kg 3 times weekly for those with body surface area ≤0.5 m².

If a severe adverse reaction (e.g., flu-like symptoms) occurs, reduce dosage by 50% or discontinue drug until adverse reaction abates.

Osteopetrosis

.