Ayesha, you concerns are undestandable. Again, I mentioned it because I know of no negatives (which does not mean that none are possible), and it’s always better to be informed :).
As I understand, MT pocesses some hepatic repair qualities, it does not act as an anti-viral agent.
Flynnstone, I got this by email today and thought you might find it interesting .
KENILWORTH, N.J., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ – Schering-Plough Corporation
(NYSE: SGP) today announced that it submitted a supplemental New Drug
Application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking
approval to market REBETOL® (ribavirin, USP) Capsules separately for use
in combination with INTRON® A (interferon alfa-2b, recombinant)
Injection for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients with
compensated liver disease previously untreated with alpha interferon or
who have relapsed following alpha interferon therapy.
REBETOL is approved in the United States for this indication as a
component of REBETRON™ Combination Therapy, which contains REBETOL
Capsules and INTRON A Injection in a single package. Schering-Plough will
continue to market REBETRON Combination Therapy in the United States.
REBETOL is an oral formulation of ribavirin, a synthetic nucleoside analog
with broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Schering-Plough has exclusive
rights to market oral ribavirin for hepatitis C in all major world markets
through a licensing agreement with ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: ICN)
of Costa Mesa, Calif.
INTRON A is a recombinant version of naturally occurring alpha interferon,
which has been shown to exert both antiviral and immunomodulatory effects.
Schering-Plough markets INTRON A, the world’s largest-selling alpha
interferon, for 16 major antiviral and anticancer indications worldwide.
WARNINGS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS
Anemia associated with the use of REBETOL in combination with interferon
alfa-2b (REBETRON Combination Therapy) may exacerbate symptoms of coronary
disease or deteriorate cardiac function. It is advised that complete
blood counts (CBC) be obtained at baseline and at weeks 2 and 4 of therapy
or more frequently if clinically indicated. The most common adverse
experiences associated with REBETRON Combination Therapy are “flu-like”
symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, myalgia and fever, which appear to
decrease in severity as treatment continues. Severe psychiatric adverse
events, including depression, psychoses, aggressive behavior,
hallucinations, violent behavior (suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts,
suicides), and rare instances of homicidal ideation have occurred during
combination REBETOL/INTRON A therapy, both in patients with and without a
previous psychiatric disorder.
Combination REBETOL/INTRON A therapy must not be used by women, or male
partners of women, who are or may become pregnant during therapy and
during the 6 months after stopping therapy. Combination REBETOL/INTRON A
therapy should not be initiated until a report of a negative pregnancy
test has been obtained immediately prior to initiation of therapy. Women
of childbearing potential and men must use effective contraception (two
reliable forms) during treatment and during the 6-month post-treatment
follow-up period. Significant teratogenic and/or embriocidal effects have
been demonstrated for ribavirin in all animal species in which adequate
studies have been conducted. These effects occurred at doses as low as
one-twentieth of the recommended human dose of REBETOL. If pregnancy
occurs in a patient or partner of a patient during treatment or during the
6 months after treatment stops, physicians are encouraged to report such
cases by calling (800) 727-7064.
Schering-Plough is a research-based company engaged in the discovery,
development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products
worldwide.
SOURCE Schering-Plough Corporation
Remember, this is just information.
[[Another thing about this disease is that it is not believed at this time to be sexually transmitted]]
It is not easily sexually transmitted, but it can be spread that way. Most Hepatitis C databases don’t collect “mode of transmission” data, though a number of studies have been done. I work in HIV epidemiology, and keep track of Hepatitis C serostatus in those reported to our office with HIV. We do collect information on risk behavior. Although predictably the majority of those dually diagnosed with HIV and Hep. C report injection drug use, thirty percent report only male-to-male sex with no admitted injection drug use. I also know of one case in which the wife of a hemophiliac apparently contracted Hepatitis C from her husband, but not HIV. Can’t prove it was sexual transmission, but I’m guessing that further study will suggest that this happens more often that we thought. I’m no Hep. C expert, though. - Jill
Ayesha, thank you. Once again, your information was very helpful. I’ll let my aunt know as soon as I can.