Interferon Gamma and Lovenox

• Generic Name: interferon gamma-1b
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Actimmune

Reduction of the frequency and severity of serious infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use).

Treatment to delay the time to disease progression in patients with severe, malignant osteopetrosis (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use).

Interferon gamma-1b was investigated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with mild-to-moderate lung function impairment in the INSPIRE study; the study was terminated early when interim data analysis indicated lack of benefit in patients receiving the drug. Interim analysis also indicated that 14.5% of patients receiving interferon gamma 1-b died compared with 12.7% of those receiving placebo.

Interferon gamma-1b is not approved for use in patients with IPF. FDA suggests that health-care professionals should discuss the results of this trial with their patients receiving the drug for IPF and carefully consider whether they should continue to receive treatment with interferon gamma-1b.

• Generic Name: enoxaparin
• Dosage Forms: injection
• Other Brand Names: Lovenox, Lovenox HP, Clexane, Clexane Forte

Lovenox (enoxaparin) is an anticoagulant that helps prevent the formation of blood clots.

Lovenox is used to treat or prevent a type of blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). A DVT can occur after certain types of surgery, or in people who are bed-ridden due to a prolonged illness.

Lovenox is also used to prevent blood vessel complications in people with certain types of angina (chest pain) or heart attack.