PEG-INTRON Combination Therapy
This type of therapy utilizes pegylation
which represents the most recent advance
in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. |
|
|
|
PEG-INTRON/REBETOL combination therapy utilizes pegylation which represents the most recent advance in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. PEG-INTRON/REBETOL combination therapy is approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients not previously treated with alpha interferons who have compensated liver disease and are at least 18 years of age.
PEG-INTRON/REBETOL combination therapy consists of two separate medications, PEG-INTRON®, which is injected and REBETOL®, which is taken orally.
PEG-INTRON® is a "pegylated" or modified form of alpha interferon that works by helping the boost the immune system to fight viruses, similar to how naturally produced interferon works in the human body. For more information about pegylation, including the benefits of pegylated interferon, see About Pegylation.
REBETOL® is an antiviral drug (ie, a drug that fights against viruses). By itself, REBETOL® is not very effective against the hepatitis C virus but in combination with PEG-INTRON®, it is much more effective than PEG-INTRON® alone. It is not known how the two products work together to fight the hepatitis C virus.
The National Institutes of Health has recognized that the highest response rates in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C have been achieved with combination therapy with ribavirin and pegylated alpha interferons.
PEG-INTRON/REBETOL combination therapy is associated with some serious side effects and cannot be used by certain patients, including pregnant women and men whose partners are pregnant. For further information about the possible side effects of PEG-INTRON® and PEG-INTRON/REBETOL combination therapy, see the Medication Guide
REBETOL® should not be used alone to treat chronic hepatitis C.
 Return to Top
|
