Drugs

• depression
• mental and neurologic disorder
• alcohol/drug abuse
• low hemoglobin level or blood cell counts
• cirrhosis

Main drugs used in treatment:

Credits (left to right):
http://www.fraunhofer.de/german/press/pi/pi2001/pi30a-2001g.jpg
http://www.betaseron.com/images/betas/vials.gif

• Pegylated interferon alpha:
  • Interferon alpha is a protein in the body manufactured in response to viral infections. It is used to treat leukemias, other cancers and MS as well.
  • Pegylation is the chemical process that interferon goes through so that it will last longer in the body.
  • Given once a week, this medicine maintains steady levels in the blood between doses.
  • Administered as a shot
  • Teratogen
    

Credits:
www.alanwood.net/pesticides/ ribavirin.html
http://www.apteka379.narod.ru/img/ribavirin.gif

• Ribavirin
  • Antibiotic
  • Little effect without interferon
  • Taken twice daily in pill form

• Combination
  • More effective than interferon alone
  • Duration depends on strain
    • Genotype 1 and 4: treatment is 48 weeks long
    • Genotype 2: treatment is 24 weeks long

• Possible side effects of interferon:
  • fatigue
  • low hemoglobulin levels
  • low blood cell counts
  • muscle aches
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • fever
  • depression
  • irritability
  • headaches
  • weight loss

• Possible side effects of ribavirin:
  • fatigue
  • anemia
  • irritability
  • skin rash
  • sinus congestion and cough

Source: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/11365-6.asp?pd=3/10/2004%205:04:56%20AM