[The role of ribavirin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C].
Ribavirin, a guanosine analogue synthesized in 1970, possess activity against several RNA and DNA viruses. The addition of ribavirin to IFN-alpha in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C led to marked improvements in SVR rates. Now ribavirin plays an important role in combination with pegylated interferon during all stages of HCV therapy. Potential mechanisms for antiviral activity of ribavirin includes direct inhibition of HCV replication, inhibition of the enzyme inosine-monophosphate-dehydrogenase (IMPDH), immunomodulation and mutagenesis. Efficacy of ribavirin in hepatitis C combined therapy depends of appropriate ribavirin initial dose and maintaining the patient on this dose for as long as possible-until the end of therapy.
Klinika i Katedra Chorób Zakaźnych i Hepatologii CM UMK. mpawlowska@cm.umk.pl
Małgorzata
M
Pawłowska
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin