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What to Expect During REBETRON Combination Therapy If you receive REBETRON Combination Therapy, you may have several different lab tests so your doctor can monitor you for potential side effects. If HCV RNA is found in your blood, your doctor can tell that the hepatitis C virus is still present. One way your doctor can usually tell if you are responding to treatment is by testing to see if you have reduced levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), an important liver enzyme. Your ALT levels will be checked when you first start treatment, then later to see if they are decreasing. If your test results show that your ALT levels are decreasing, then fewer liver cells are dying or being damaged. Your doctor will also measure the hemoglobin level in your blood while you are receiving treatment. Hemoglobin is a part of the red blood cells that helps to carry oxygen to your tissues. When a blood test (called a CBC or complete blood count) shows your hemoglobin levels are below 10 grams per deciliter, your doctor will need to immediately change your dosage of REBETOL®. If your hemoglobin levels drop below 8.5 grams per deciliter, you must stop taking REBETRON Combination Therapy immediately. REBETOL/INTRON A therapy should be administered with caution to patients with pre-existing cardiac disease. Patients should be assessed before commencement of therapy and should be appropriately monitored during therapy. If there is any deterioration of cardiovascular status, therapy should be stopped. Because REBETRON Combination Therapy could seriously harm an unborn child, you should not receive this treatment if you or your partner is pregnant. Women of childbearing age must have a negative pregnancy test before starting REBETRON Combination Therapy and each month during treatment. If you or your partner become pregnant while receiving REBETRON Combination Therapy or during the 6 months after stopping therapy, consult your doctor immediately. Both male and female patients must use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months after treatment is completed. You should discuss with your doctor how you or your partner can prevent getting pregnant. Choose a topic below:
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