Please ensure JavaScript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility ACTIMMUNE® (Interferon gamma-1b) | Side Effects and Safety
Approved Uses and Important Safety Information

What is ACTIMMUNE® (Interferon gamma-1b) used for?

ACTIMMUNE is used to treat chronic granulomatous disease, or CGD. CGD is a genetic disorder, usually diagnosed in childhood, that affects some cells of the immune system and the body’s risk of serious infection.

ACTIMMUNE is also used to slow the worsening of severe, malignant osteopetrosis (SMO). SMO is a genetic disorder that affects normal bone formation and is usually diagnosed in the first few months after birth.

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ACTIMMUNE® (Interferon
gamma-1b) Important Safety
Information

Your safety is important to us when you’re taking
ACTIMMUNE.

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Helping people with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) for over 30 years

ACTIMMUNE was approved by the FDA in 1990 following a pivotal study including 128 people. The study was designed to evaluate ACTIMMUNE for safety and effectiveness. The most common ACTIMMUNE side effects were flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, or tiredness. These symptoms may decrease as use of ACTIMMUNE continues. See the full Important Safety Information for ACTIMMUNE.

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TIP: Taking ACTIMMUNE at bedtime may also help with some of these symptoms. Acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol®) may help in preventing fever and headache. See more information about taking ACTIMMUNE.

More clinical trial data

In a study to find out how ACTIMMUNE could help patients with CGD, 63 patients were given ACTIMMUNE and 65 patients were given a placebo (an injection without the active drug). During the study, side effects were recorded. The most common side effects seen with ACTIMMUNE are listed below.

Side effect Percentage of people experiencing side effects
ACTIMMUNE (n=63) Placebo (n=65)
Fever 52 28
Headache 33 9
Rash 17 6
Chills 14 0
Injection site redness or tenderness 14 2
Tiredness 14 11
Diarrhea 14 12
Vomiting 13 5
Nausea 10 2
Muscle pain 6 0
Joint pain 2 0
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PLEASE NOTE: If you feel confused or tired while taking ACTIMMUNE, be careful when driving or operating machinery. These effects may be worsened by alcohol.

FDA=US Food and Drug Administration.

WATCH REAL ACTIMMUNE STORIES

When living with a rare condition, it can be helpful to hear other people’s CGD stories. See what Ramone, Selma, Evan, and others wanted to share.

CREATE A DOCTOR DISCUSSION
GUIDE

Got questions? Get prepared with a customized guide to help your conversation with your doctor about ACTIMMUNE and managing CGD.

Approved Uses and Important Safety Information

What is ACTIMMUNE® (Interferon gamma-1b) used for?

ACTIMMUNE is used to treat chronic granulomatous disease, or CGD. CGD is a genetic disorder, usually diagnosed in childhood, that affects some cells of the immune system and the body’s ability to fight infections effectively.

ACTIMMUNE is also used to slow the worsening of severe, malignant osteopetrosis (SMO). SMO is a genetic disorder that affects normal bone formation and is usually diagnosed in the first few months after birth.

When should I not take ACTIMMUNE?

Do not use ACTIMMUNE if you are allergic to interferon gamma, E. coli-derived products, or any ingredients contained in the product.

What warnings should I know about ACTIMMUNE?

ACTIMMUNE can cause flu-like symptoms. At high doses, the resulting symptoms may worsen some pre-existing heart conditions.

ACTIMMUNE may cause decreased mental status, such as confusion, depression, and hallucinations. It may also cause difficulty walking and dizziness, particularly at high doses. These symptoms usually resolve a few days after reducing the amount of ACTIMMUNE you take, or if you are no longer taking it at all, as prescribed by your doctor.

Use of ACTIMMUNE may affect bone marrow function and may limit the production of cells important to your body. This can be severe and usually goes away after reducing the amount of ACTIMMUNE you take or if you stop taking it entirely as prescribed by your doctor.

Taking ACTIMMUNE may cause reversible changes to your liver function, particularly in patients less than 1 year old. Your doctor should monitor your liver function every 3 months, and monthly in children under 1 year of age.

In rare cases, ACTIMMUNE can cause severe allergic reactions and/or rash. If you experience a serious reaction to ACTIMMUNE, stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor or seek medical help.

What should I tell my healthcare provider?

Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.

Tell your doctor if you:

  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or plan to nurse
  • have a heart condition such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or decreased blood flow to your heart
  • have a history of seizures or other neurologic disorders
  • have, or have had, reduced bone marrow function. Your doctor will monitor these cells with blood tests at the beginning of therapy and every 3 months while you are taking ACTIMMUNE

What are the side effects of ACTIMMUNE?

The most common side effects with ACTIMMUNE are "flu-like" symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, or fatigue, which may decrease the longer you take ACTIMMUNE. Taking ACTIMMUNE at bedtime may help with these symptoms, and acetaminophen may help prevent fever and headache.

What other medications might interact with ACTIMMUNE?

Some drugs, like certain chemotherapy drugs, may interact with ACTIMMUNE and could make it more likely that your heart or nervous system could be damaged. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take.

Avoid taking ACTIMMUNE at the same time as a vaccination.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about ACTIMMUNE with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. The FDA-approved product labeling can be found at www.ACTIMMUNE.com or 1-866-479-6742.

Approved Uses and Important Safety Information

What is ACTIMMUNE® (Interferon gamma-1b) used for?

ACTIMMUNE is used to treat chronic granulomatous disease, or CGD. CGD is a genetic disorder, usually diagnosed in childhood, that affects some cells of the immune system and the body’s ability to fight infections effectively.