Index /Medicine

IMUNOFAN  

Sterile Solution for Parenteral Use Only

 USES 

Imunofan is a medication used for treatment of immunological disorders including immunodeficiency.

DESCRIPTION

Imunofan is a clear, colorless solution for injections provided in ampoules, which contains as an active pharmacological substance hexapeptide Arg-a-Asp-Lys-Val-Tyr-Arg with molecular weight 836 D. The preparation is indicated for use as a prophylactic and treatment of immunodeficient states with multiple etiology and diseases followed by immune disorders in adult and children.

INDICATIONS

Carcinogenesis

Imunofan is an effective drug-component in the treatment of patients with local tumors subjected to complex radical therapy such as surgery, chemo- and radiation therapy. It may be used for both the prevention and the correction of side effects of anticancer treatment. The medication should be used before and after the course of chemo-radiotherapy. It may be indicated in the patients with disseminated (IV stage)  cancer for symptomatic therapy, cancer intoxication treatment and improvement oncological patients’ quality of  life. Imunofan may be an effective drug-component in children suffers from acute and chronic  oncohematologic diseases: lymphoblastic lymphadenosis, acute lymphadenosis, malignant lymphoma, lymphogranulomatosis subjected to chemotherapy and  complicated    toxic or viral hepatitis, pneumonia, sepsis. It may be used  in complex therapy of children with  papillomatosis larynx.

Acute and Chronic Pyogenic Infections

Imunofan is a drug of choice, that may be used in combination with specific anti-bacterial therapy, in the treatment of toxic, viral and traumatic disorders of the blood stream, meningitis, heart, lung, joints, liver and pancreas, complicated by septic and/or pyemic microorganisms.

     Opportunistic Infections

It may be indicated in serious infections caused by strains of the following organisms, when interferon-a or other  drugs of pathogenetic therapy are ineffective or contraindicated:

Cytomegalovirus , Toxoplasma gondii, Klebsiella pneumonia, Herpesvirus, Chlamydiae, Cryptococcus neoformans

HIV-infectious

Imunofan may be an effective drug-component in the treatment of different stages of AIDS to complex chemotherapy. It causes an effective protection of the immune system from the damaging effects of the free radical compounds with following improvement of Th1/Th2 balance, decreasing of tumor necrosis factor  (TNF) production and reduction of manifestation the toxic reactions.

Acute and Chronic Viral Hepatitis

Imunofan is a drug of choice in the treatment of hepatitis B and C that may be used in patients with contraindication to interferon therapy and high activity of pathological process in liver. Imunofan administration leads to decrease of transaminase activity and decrease the level of bilirubin. The activation of antiviral immunity under the action of the preparation leads to decrease of  viral expression.  

Diphtheria

Imunofan is a drug of choice that may be used in combination with specific vaccination (absorbed  diphtheria  and tetanus toxoid with low content of antigen) of the children with heavy allergic diseases,  immuno- and anti-bacterial therapy in the treatment of diphtheria.

Psoriasis

It may be an effective drug-component in the treatment of different variations psoriasis to complex therapy. 

How to take this medication

This medication must be used as directed. One intramuscular or subcutaneus injection  per day. Injections may be given every 24-48 hours; however, the total number of injections not exceed 20 per course. In according with etiology, length, complications, relapse, etc. of disease the course of injection may be repeated after 1-6 months.

SIde EFFECTS

Although unlikely, Imunofan may cause insignificant inflammatory reactions in certain individuals. Therefore, before using this drug, tell your doctor if you have any autoimmune diseases or drug idiosyncrasy.

PRECAUTIONS

Tell your doctor your medical history, especially Rh-incompatible pregnancy, autoimmune diseases.

CONTRADICTIONS

Rh-incompatible pregnancy, idiosyncrasy.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Inform your doctor about the medicines you may use (both prescription and nonprescription). Avoid use of any drugs affecting immunomodulation or biostimulation, including alcohol.

STORAGE

Store away from sunlight and moisture at temperature 2-8°C. Do not freeze.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Imunofan generates the triggering signal in the target-cells. The preparation is quickly and completely absorbed at the site of administration and is rapidly cleaved to amino acids. Imunofan increases and regulates immunoresponce of human organism and participates in the processes of inactivation of free radicals. Therefore, pharmacological impact of this medication is based on two primary effects – immunocorrection (i.e. correction of deficiency of the immune system) and normalization of the oxidative processes of the organism.

The direct effect of the medication develops during first 2-3 h after injection and lasts up to 4 months and consists of several phases: Fast, Intermediate and Slow. 

During the Fast phase (continuing up to 2-3 days), Imunofan activates anti-oxidative ability of organism thus preventing of free radical formation and damage of cellular membranes. At this time the detoxify effect becomes apparent and the organism’s antioxidant defense is increased by the stimulation a number of physiologically active compounds, that prevent the cascade radical formation in the cellular membrane.  The preparation inhibits the cleavage of cell membrane phospholipids, decreases of oxidized low density lipoproteins and synthesis of arachidonic acid with the following decrease of blood cholesterol levels and production of the inflammatory mediators, prostaglandins and leukotrienes.  The Imunofan may protect Lymphocyte DNA from the peroxide damage.  

The preparation prevents cytolysis and decreases transaminase activities and bilirubin levels in the blood of patients with toxic or infectious hepatitis.

During the Intermediate phase (starting after 2-3 days after injection and lasting up to 7-10 days) the increase of phagocytosis and activation of the oxygen-dependent neutrophils antibacterial system are occurring. These effects are produced by the elevation of hidden capacities of the neutrophils to kill and eliminate intracellular bacteria and viruses, and by the increase in expression of HLA-DR molecules on the surface of T-cell, which leads to better recognition of antigen presentation by macrophages and lends a helping-effect to B-cell. These developments occur on the background of the recovery of interleukines, interferon-a or -g   production and normalizing the production of  TNF.   

During the Slow phase (starting after 7-10 days and lasting up to 4 months) the immunoregulatory effect of the drug becomes apparent. Imunofan reconstructs broken cellular and humoral immunity by  the stimulation of the process of  T- lymphocytes maturation and recovery the balance from Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes. At this time  an increase of specific IgM, IgG and IgA production may be observed.

The influence of the preparation on the production of specific antiviral and antibacterial antibodies is similar to the effect of some therapeutical vaccinations, except with lesser if any influence on the production of IgE and acute type hypersensitivity. As premedicant drug at vaccination of the patients with heavy allergic diseases  Imunofan  allows to reduce hyperproduction of IgE and raises early protective properties of vaccines with low content of antigen.  

Since Imunofan action does not depend on the production of prostaglandin E2 its administration is possible in combination with steroid and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs.

CAUTION

     OPEN SOLUTION OF MEDICATION  SHOULD BE STORED UNDER REFRIGERATION. IF UNUSED  SHOULD BE DISCARDED AFTER 72 HOURS.

     PREPARATION SHOULD NOT BE USED AFTER EXPIRATION DATE.

SUPPLIED

Imunofan is supplied in 1 ml ampoules containing 0.005% sterile solution for subcutaneous and intramuscular injections.

PRODUCTION

BIONOX Co., Ltd.

Russia, 111123, Moscow, Novogireevskaya, 3a, 

E-mail:  Imunofan.bio@ru.net          Tel/fax (095) 304 2209