Ribavirin and hepatitis c
Common Questions and Answers about Ribavirin and hepatitis c
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Upon analyzing over 3,000 people being treated for Hepatitis C with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, Mark Sulkowski and colleagues found this to be true even when ribavirin reduction or ESA administration was given to reduce anemia. In fact, the rates of achieving a sustained virological response were greater as the severity of the anemia increased.
//www.hivandhepatitis.
As to my own experience... I treated my hepatitis C twice before my transplant. First with Peg-interferon and ribavirin in 2008 and then I was in a clinical trial where I was one of the first 61 cirrhotics to ever treat with sofosbuvir and ribavirin. I treated for 48 weeks and ended up relapsing within 4 weeks of stopping treatment. So I think I have some insight into your situation.
I hope this helps.
Let me know how I can further help.
The standard of care for treatment of chronic hepatitis C is Pegylated Interferon injections once a week combined with daily Ribavirin pills. Interferon boosts the immune system to attack liver cells infected with hepatitis C virus and inhibits viral replication. Ribavirin has a broad-spectrum of antiviral activity and inhibits replication and infectivity of the virus.
Jensen, MD
Peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin for 24 weeks in hepatitis C type 1 and 4 patients with rapid virological response Mark S. Sulkowski, MD
Improved outcomes in patients with hepatitis C with difficult-to-treat characteristics: randomized study of higher doses of peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin Hari S. Conjeevaram, MD, MSc
Ribavirin exposure after the first dose is predictive of sustained virological response in chronic hepatitis C
K.
Antiviral therapy which is currently pegylated interferon and ribavirin can eradicate the hepc virus which will cease the liver damage. If treatment is successful meaning the virus is eradicated, after a period of time liver histology may improve. Without successful treatment the liver will continue to degenerate.
Newer drugs called protease inhibitors are expected to be released sometime in 2011 which will be used in conjunction with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
I haven't had kidney trouble. However, hepatitis C can be associated with certain kinds of glomerulonephritis. Ribavirin cannot be removed by the kidney so treatment can be dangerous for a kidney patient as the ribavirin builds up in that organ. Patients with kidney disease need to be closely monitored by their nephrologist and hepatologist.
In patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis due to hepatitis C, there can be a benefit from peginterferon and ribavirin, particularly if there is an SVR. Oftentimes, these patients have cryoglobulinemia and antigen-antibody complexes that are involved in the development of the renal disease. Treatment in the absence of viral eradication is helpful for some patients.
Male patient, 51 years of age, was diagnosed with hepatitis c and was treated with Ribavirin. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following side effects: condition aggravated, deafness, haemolytic anaemia, migraine , platelet count decreased, tinnitus , white blood cell count decreased. Ribavirin dosage: unknown. During the same period patient was treated with PEGASYS. Patient recovered.
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