Interferon alpha 2b Brands in Pakistan

Interferon alpha 2b
Interferon alpha 2b (human leukocyte clone hif-sn 206 protein moiety reduced). A type I interferon consisting of 165 amino acid residues with arginine in position 23. This protein is produced by recombinant DNA technology and resembles interferon secreted by leukocytes. It is used extensively as an antiviral or antineoplastic agent [1]
Category
Immunosuppressive Agents

Pharmacology
Indication	For the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, and AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Pharmacodynamics	Upregulates the expression of MHC I proteins, allowing for increased presentation of peptides derived from viral antigens. This enhances the activation of CD8+ T cells that are the precursors for cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and makes the macrophage a better target for CTL-mediated killing. Interferon alpha also induce the synthesis of several key antiviral mediators, including 2’-5’ oligoadenylate synthetase (2’-5’ A synthetase) and protein kinase R.
Mechanism of action	Interferon alpha binds to type I interferon receptors (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2c) which upon dimerization activate two Jak (Janus kinase) tyrosine kinases (Jak1 and Tyk2). These transphosphorylate themselves and phosphorylate the receptors. The phosphorylated INFAR receptors then bind to Stat1 and Stat2 (signal transducers and activators of transcription)which dimerize and activate multiple (~100) immunomodulatory and antiviral proteins. Interferon alpha binds less stably to type I interferon receptors than interferon beta.
Absorption	Absorption is high (greater than 80%) when administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously.
Volume of distribution	Not Available
Protein binding	Not Available
Metabolism	Not Available
Route of elimination	Not Available
Half life	The elimination half-life following both intramuscular and subcutaneous injections was approximately 2 to 3 hours. The elimination half-life was approximately 2 hours following intravenous injection.
Clearance	Not Available
Toxicity	There is limited experience with overdosage. Postmarketing surveillance includes reports of patients receiving a single dose as great as 10 times the recommended dose. In general, the primary effects of an overdose are consistent with the effects seen with therapeutic doses of interferon alfa-2b. Hepatic enzyme abnormalities, renal failure, hemorrhage, and myocardial infarction have been reported with single administration overdoses and/or with longer durations of treatment than prescribed. Toxic effects after ingestion of interferon alfa-2b are not expected because interferons are poorly absorbed orally.
Affected organisms	Humans and other mammals

 [1]

Available Brands In Pakistan

Following are the strength of immune globulin

Injection:

·         3 MIU,

·         5 MIU,

·         10 MIU,

·         100 mcg,

·         120 mcg,

·         150 mcg,

Interferon Alpha 2b [Inj 3 MIU]

Brand Name	Manufacturer	Trade Price	Retail Price
Anferon pfs	Consolidated chemical laboratories (pvt) ltd.	810.00	900.00
Ceron alpha	Biocare pharmaceutical	630.00	700.00
Heberon alfa r	Macter international (pvt) ltd.	977.13	1085.70
Heberon alfa r	Macter international (pvt) ltd.	540.00	600.00
Inf	Ferozsons laboratoies ltd.	765.00	900.00
Intef	Pharmevo (pvt) ltd.	518.50	610.00
Interlong	Accurate medical suppliers	585.00	650.00
Intron-a	Ici pakistan ltd.	1415.70	1573.00
Neoferon	Navegal laboratories	595.00	700.00
Prolfer	Zafa pharmaceutical laboratories (pvt) ltd.	510.00	600.00
Purifron	MEDINET PHARMACEUTICALS	510.00	600.00
Qferon	BOSCH PHARMACEUTICALS (PVT) LTD.	510.00	600.00
Refron	GLOBAL PHARMACEUTICALS	400.00	470.59

Interferon Alpha 2b [Inj 5 MIU]

Brand Name	Manufacturer	Trade Price	Retail Price
Ceron alpha	Biocare pharmaceutical	990.00	1100.00
Heberon alfa r	Macter international (pvt) ltd.	1497.43	1761.68
Inf	Ferozsons laboratoies ltd.	1275.00	1500.00
Intef	Pharmevo (pvt) ltd.	867.00	1020.00
Interlong	Accurate medical suppliers	990.00	1100.00
Intron-a	Ici pakistan ltd.	2208.49	2453.88
Purifron	Medinet pharmaceuticals	850.00	1000.00
Qferon	Bosch pharmaceuticals (pvt) ltd.	765.00	900.00

Interferon Alpha 2b [Inj 10 MIU]

Brand Name	Manufacturer	Trade Price	Retail Price
Purifron	Medinet pharmaceuticals	1275.00	1500.00

Interferon Alpha 2b [Inj 100 mcg]

Brand Name	Manufacturer	Trade Price	Retail Price
Cell-aid depot	Werrick pharmaceuticals	3150.00	---

Interferon Alpha 2b [Inj 120 mcg]

Brand Name	Manufacturer	Trade Price	Retail Price
Cell-aid depot	Werrick pharmaceuticals	4050.00	---

Interferon Alpha 2b [Inj 150 mcg]

Brand Name	Manufacturer	Trade Price	Retail Price
Cell-aid depot	Werrick pharmaceuticals	---	6075.00
Renew depot	Scotmann pharmaceuticals	---	6075.00

REFERENCE
1.         Wishart DS, Knox C, Guo AC, Shrivastava S, Hassanali M, Stothard P, Chang Z, Woolsey J. DrugBank: a comprehensive resource for in silico drug discovery and exploration. Nucleic Acids Res. 2006 Jan 1;34(Database issue):D668-72. 16381955