title: Pegylated interferons.
abstract: In summary, pegylated IFNs have a longer half-life, reduced immunogenicity, better pharmacokinetics, and enhanced biological activity when compared with standard IFN. Better adherence rates are feasible because of the once weekly administration of pegylated IFN. The adverse event profile is largely comparable. The improved pharmacokinetics of pegylated IFNs, compared with standard IFN, has translated into greater efficacy with at least similar tolerability. Pegylated IFNs with ribavirin are the standard of care for treating patients with chronic HCV who have not been treated previously.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Central Utah Medical Clinic, 36 North 1100 East, American Fork, UT 84003, USA.
authors.forename: Umaprasanna S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Karnam
authors.forename: K Rajender
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a