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What is PEG-INTRON Therapy for Hepatitis C?
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PEG-INTRONŽ is the first once-weekly pegylated interferon approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for hepatitis C in previously untreated patients with compensated liver disease and who are at least 18 years of age.
Interferon is a protein made naturally by your body to boost your immunity and regulate other cell functions. In people with hepatitis C, adding a type of human interferon to the interferons your body already produces may stimulate your body to fight the disease. With PEG-INTRONŽ, a substance called polyethylene glycol (PEG) is attached to interferon so that it stays in your body longer before it is broken down and eliminated. For more information about pegylation, including the benefits of pegylated interferon, see About Pegylation.
PEG-INTRONŽ can be used alone (monotherapy) or in combination with an antiviral drug called REBETOLŽ for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. For more information on combination therapy with PEG-INTRONŽ and REBETOLŽ, see About PEG-INTRON/REBETOL Combination Therapy.
There are side effects associated with PEG-INTRON therapy that you should understand. For more information, see Side Effects of PEG-INTRON.
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