Pegylated Interferon Ribavirin Combination Therapy for Hepatitis C
So lets have a look at the kit involved.
Its a combination of two different drugs, Pegylated Interferon [the Pegylated bit just refers to the fact that the drugs molecules have been altered so that it breaks down over 7 days] of which I’m on the Roche version called Pegysus.
What is pegylated interferon?
Interferon is a type of protein produced by the body’s cells in response to viral hepatitis and other infections. Interferon stimulates the body’s immune system to fight viral infections and affect the ability of viruses to divide in liver cells.In pegylation, one or more chains of polyethelene glycol, or PEG (a gelatinous compound used to thicken food), are bonded to an interferon molecule. The PEG works to keep the interferon in the body longer, without reducing efficacy. Whereas three injections are normally required with regular interferon treatment, only one injection of pegylated interferon is required per week.
The other type of Interferon is a Schering-Plough product called PEG-INTRON. There is currently a study going on to compare the effectiveness of the two, results aren’t due until 2007 but the word on the street is that the Roche Pegysus may just have the edge.
In my case I take the Pegysus weekly via an injection into fat, just pinch an inch and stab away, the syringe [nearly said works ;)] is prefilled. Recommended sites are the belly [my choice] or the tops of the legs, there are some reports that injecting into the arms is less effective. I think that it is preferred that you inject yourself although certainly at my hospital they will do it for you if you wish, more on the actual injection process later but suffice to say it is easy and virtually painless with the very fine needle.
The kit:
The other half of the equation is the Ribavirin, 200mg tablets. I think dose is based on weight and I’m on 1200mg daily which equates to 3 tabs twice a day. The ones I take are coated with what can only be described as a slippery substance, they are small too so slide down real easy. Its recommended that you take them with food, literally in the middle of a meal, and some say that it improves absorption if the food has some fat content.
The kit two:
The other thing you get is a sharps bin for disposing of the used needles, a great big bright yellow thing so take a bag to the hospital when you collect it as you will feel a little odd walking round with it 
The whole kit:
March 14th, 2006 at 4:08 am
Hi,
I had a “high viral level” HCV. I began the treatment with Pegasys and Copegus. The daily dose form ribavirin was 1200 mg. I self corrected the daily dose day for day and today a take daly 2200 mg. I feel me better than earlier. My liver enzim levels in a month decreased all of them at least 30 %. My hemoglobin level is only 5% decreased due to higher ribavirin dose.
If your ribavirin dose is not enough, the treatment killed the patients. It is my opinion.
September 6th, 2006 at 8:56 am
Had some questions…My face has gotten real dry and extremely peeling off in some areas of my face specially my forehead, chin, nose, and just all around my face it looks like I’m doing radiation or something and it really burns around my lips and chin my lips get so dry, all this gets so bad that my dry skin starts to peel off by itself and it really hurts. Is this normal and what do you recommand for me to do?
September 7th, 2006 at 8:01 pm
I have been having a similar problem a lot of peeling and the dry lips lasted 7 weeks. I have had itching all over. My dermatologist said it is excema, and prescribed cortosone which helped within 2 days.
November 4th, 2006 at 11:48 pm
what are the side effects of peg combo therapy i will be starting treatment in about six weeks
January 8th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I have had hep c for about 25 years,I have tried all the different types of med.and it dosen`t work for me,I have been off it for about 6 months.I still have the itching and it hurts bad .my doctor says its not the liver, but my skin doctor says it is the liver. So that leaves me in the middle. I have to take something to sleep every night and alot of times that doesn`t work.
I just wished that someone would tell me what to use.I have though about trying pot,but I wouldn`t know where to start or get it.but they say it works with sleeping problems Boy what would happen if they found that in my blood
If there is anyone out there that can help please send me a email
thanks HUNTERDO
October 13th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I’ve just started this treatment, (4th Oct 07) had two injections so far and i’m doing ok’ish, trying really hard to keep positive and upbeat about it, like feeling good about the fact i lost 3.5k in my first week of treatment rather than worrying that i may dissappear if that carries on.
GL to anyone going through this just remember the treatment isnt forever, and could cure you.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Pegylated Interferon +/- Ribavirin Combination Therapy for Hepatitis C will work around 40-80% for patients, that is a 40-80% total viral clearance rate. The combination therapy actually focuses on two points, that is increased interferon persistance in the body (as stated above; a result of pegylation of interferon - the injection part of the kit) and interfering with the way the HCV virus replicates itself (missed above; a result of the +/- ribavirin - the pills).
Patients undergoing the treatment will face a variety of side effects, but usually I will tell them that nausea, confusion, irritability and loss of appetite are common. For a more specific breakdown, both PEG and ribavirin will cause different side effects:
PEG is usually associated with the nausea, confusion and irritability and the ribavirin actually causes a drop in hemoglobin blood levels, so you will find yourself getting tired easily and hence I will usually tell patients to avoid heavy physical exertion (in addition the PEG can cause easy bruising/bleeding, etc…).
So if are currently undergoing the treatment for the first time, I would ask your current physician or medical provider if you have any concerns.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I was on the treatment using the shot and the pills. I developed the itching as well and if you ask me that was the worse part. I lost a lot of my hair and some weight too ( I liked that part ) but the itching in the end made me quit. I had a horrible itchy rash all over my entire body (minus my face) and it got so bad I couldn’t sleep. My viral load after 6 months of treatment showed the virus was gone. I was happy but the doc told me to come back in one month to do another blood test and sadly the virus was back to my original count. He did get me all kinds of creams for the rash and none of them helped. Now I’m just waiting to see if they will develop something new or maybe one day trial one of those trial programs where they test new meds. Anyone hear how drinking affects your liver after you’ve unsuccessfully done the treatment (only 6 months of it) I do drink maybe once a week and I do understand its a no no but I’m curious if taking the meds weekened by liver so now it’s more likely to be harmed by my occasional drinking. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:14 am
I am going to start the pegsus program soon i have the pills but cant take them yet tell the shots come i just hope to keep working if i cant does anyone out there knowm if social security will be approved for the length of treatment?