What Is Interferon Alfa?

Natural interferon is a protein produced by the body's cells in response to viral infections. There are three types: alfa, beta and gamma. Commercially-produced (genetically-engineered) interferon alfa mimics the activity of naturally-occuring interferon alfa produced by the body, although the mechanism of action of the drug is not well understood.

Intron A (interferon alfa-2b) is one commercial form approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Hepatitis B and C.

Roferon A (interferon alfa-2a), and Infergen ("consensus" interferon) are also FDA-approved for treatment of chronic hepatitis C but not for chronic hepatitis B.