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Interferon Gamma for Adult Atopic Dermatitis


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Interferon gamma is a medicine that reduces the body's immune reaction. When injected under the skin surface (subcutaneously), interferon gamma significantly improves atopic dermatitis symptoms for 4 out of 5 people.1 A common side effect is flu-like illness during the early days of treatment.

Although interferon gamma injections are considered safe and effective for many people who have severe atopic dermatitis, they aren't widely used because of their inconvenience and expense. But if you have severe symptoms that have not responded to other treatments, injections are worth considering.

References

Citations

  1. Boguniewicz M, Leung DYM (2009). Atopic dermatitis. In N Franklin Addison Jr et al., eds., Middleton's Allergy Principles and Practice, 7th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1083–1103. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier.


Last Updated: April 30, 2010
Medical Review:
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine

Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology


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