What is ribavirin used to treat?

Ribavirin is used in combination with injectable interferon alfa-2b, peginterferon alfa-2a, or peginterferon alfa-2b to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

What is the drug that cures Hep C?

Oct. 10, 2014 — The FDA on Friday approved the first combination pill to treat hepatitis C. The medication is so powerful it cures the disease for nearly all who take it. The once-daily pill, called Harvoni, is a combination of the already approved drug sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) and a new drug called ledipasvir.

What happens if HCV is positive?

Most people who get infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) develop a chronic, or lifelong, infection. Left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

How HCV is caused?

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood from an infected person. Today, most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs.

How long does it take to clear hep C?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes both acute and chronic infection. Acute HCV infections are usually asymptomatic and most do not lead to a life-threatening disease. Around 30% (15–45%) of infected persons spontaneously clear the virus within 6 months of infection without any treatment.

What is interferon used to treat?

Interferon alfa-2b injection is used to treat hepatitis B and C, lymphoma (lymph node cancer), malignant melanoma (skin cancer), genital warts, hairy cell leukemia (blood cell cancer), and Kaposi sarcoma (AIDS-related tumor). Interferons are substances produced by cells in the body to help fight infections and tumors.

What does interferon do to the body?

Interferons are proteins that are part of your natural defenses. They tell your immune system that germs or cancer cells are in your body. And they trigger killer immune cells to fight those invaders.

What is the brand name of ribavirin?

Ribavirin is an antiviral medication used together with an interferon alfa product (such as Peg-Intro or Intron A) to treat chronic hepatitis C. Ribavirin is available under the following different brand names: Rebetol, Ribasphere, RibaPak, Copegus, Virazole, and Moderiba.

Is there a vaccine for HCV?

There is no vaccine to prevent HCV infection. HCV can be spread by sex, but this is not common.

What is HCV blood test?

A blood test, called an HCV antibody test, is used to find out if someone has ever been infected with the hepatitis C virus. The HCV antibody test, sometimes called the anti-HCV test, looks for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in blood.

Is HCV curable?

Yes. Modern treatments can cure hepatitis C in most cases. These treatments involve a combination of antiviral medications taken for 8–24 weeks . However, as many people with HCV do not know they are infected, they may not seek testing and treatment for many years.

How do interferons fight viral infections?

Interferon is secreted by cells in response to stimulation by a virus or other foreign substance, but it does not directly inhibit the virus’s multiplication. Rather, it stimulates the infected cells and those nearby to produce proteins that prevent the virus from replicating within them.

What is the use of Ribasphere capsules?

Ribasphere capsules are used with either interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) or peginterferon alfa-2b (Pegasys, PegIntron, Sylatron) to treat chronic hepatitis C infection in people 3 years and older with liver disease. It is not known if Ribasphere use for longer than 1 year is safe and will work.

What are the side effects of Ribasphere?

Common Ribasphere side effects may include: 1 nausea, flu-like symptoms, tiredness; 2 fever, chills or shaking; 3 headache; 4 mood changes, feeling irritable; 5 muscle pain; or. 6 (more items)

How should I take Ribasphere?

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the capsule. Drink extra fluids while you are taking Ribasphere to keep from getting dehydrated. Ribasphere can cause dry mouth, which could lead to tooth decay or gum disease.

How do you take Ribasphere for hepatitis C?

Ribasphere is not effective when used alone to treat hepatitis C. It must be used together with an interferon alfa product. Take with food. Do not crush, chew, break, or open a capsule. Swallow it whole. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the capsule. Use Ribasphere regularly to get the most benefit.