Alpha Interferon is made naturally in your liver and other parts of your body. It is a protein that helps your immune system work better to fight off infections, such as hepatitis.
Intron A and Peg-Intron are man-made versions of alpha- Interferon. This means that it is made in a laboratory but looks the same and does the same things as the natural protein. Peg-Intron and Intron A are used to treat chronic hepatitis B and C. Peg-Intron is an improved version of Intron A. It stays in your body longer than Intron A so that you do not have to take as much medicine. It also is more effective in treating Hepatitis C.
Peg-Intron is taken by injection once a week. Side effects include feeling like you have the flu, feeling very tired, depression, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, thinning of hair and dry, itchy skin.
