• All About INTRON® A
  • What Is INTRON® A?
  • Why INTRON® A?
  • Getting Started
  • Treatment with INTRON® A
  • Managing Side Effects
• Understanding Your Condition
  • Malignant Melanoma
  • Skin Basics
  • What Is Cancer?
  • Types of Skin Cancer
  • Focus on Melanoma
• Give and Get Support
  • For People Living with Melanoma
  • For People Who Care
• Professional Resources
  • Indications
  • Why INTRON® A
  • Managing Therapy
  • Patient Support
  • Professional Resources
  • Contact Information

Managing Fatigue

Fatigue occurs in nearly all patients (96%) treated with INTRON® A therapy and is the most common dose-limiting chronic toxicity associated with this therapy. Fatigue may occur via cytokine-mediated mechanisms or occur secondary to other medical conditions. Fatigue persists throughout therapy and generally worsens with continued therapy.

1. Determine whether fatigue is isolated or exists as a component of another syndrome (eg, anorexia, hypothyroidism, anemia, depression, dehydration, etc).
2. If cause is known (eg, anemia), address underlying disorder.
3. If cause is unknown, implement behavioral, nutritional, and/or pharmacologic interventions (see below).
4. Modify dose or interrupt therapy if necessary.

Behavioral interventions for fatigue

• Psychotherapy
• Support group network
• Advise patients to modify duties at home/work as needed
• Regular light exercise
• Involvement in normal daily and social activities with appropriate reduction
• Activities involving intellectual stimulation
• Time management and prioritization of daily activities

Nutritional interventions for fatigue

• Improved nutrition
• Small, frequent meals
• Nutritional supplementation (eg, energy shakes, bars)
• Increased intake of noncaffeinated fluids

Pharmacologic interventions for fatigue

• SSRIs
• Megestrol acetate
• Consider methylphenidate in severe cases (5 mg bid up to 30 mg bid)

Note: Corticosteroids may compromise the therapeutic effect of INTRON® A therapy

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