Advances in the treatment of hepatitis C: combination antiviral therapy with interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin.
OBJECTIVE
To provide nurse practitioners with the information to manage patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) receiving a new combination drug therapy containing ribavirin and interferon alfa-2b.


METHODS
Reviews of clinical trial results including large multicenter trials, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention documents, data from the drug manufacturer.


CONCLUSIONS
This new therapy offers the potential for HCV remission or complete cure of the HCV infection. Although virologic responses are markedly improved with combination therapy, the side effects associated with combination therapy warrant regular patient monitoring, management, and medical intervention when clinically indicated.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination therapy does not significantly worsen the side effects associated with mono-therapy, which are predictable, manageable, and reversible. However, proper patient education, symptom management, vigilance for serious side effects, and monitoring of hematologic parameters are critical to patient outcome.
Benson
L
L
Schering Oncology/Biotech Kenliworth, NJ, USA.
Birkel
A
A
Caldwell
L
L
Stafford-Fox
V
V
Casarico
B
B
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin