Intron A

Maker:
Schering

What it does:
Treats AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma and hepatitis infection, especially hepatitis C.

Traditional dosage:
30 million international units (IUs) per square meter of body surface, subcutaneously or intramuscularly, three times a week for Kaposi’s sarcoma; 3 million IUs three times a week for chronic hepatitis C.

Drug interactions, precautions, & recommendations:
Use caution if taken with Retrovir, theophylline, or Tyzeka. Do not take if you have autoimmune hepatitis, decompensated liver disease, thalassemia major, sickle-cell anemia, or problems with creatinine clearance. Use with caution if you have history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases.

Side effects:
Most serious: depression, suicidal thoughts, severe flu-like symptoms, increased risk of life-threatening liver disease
Other: difficulty sleeping, nervousness, muscle pain or numbness, blood in urine or stools, painful urination, chest pain, fever, chills, unusual bleeding or bruising, suicidal or homicidal thoughts.