title: Methadone and HCV treatment.
abstract: Relatively few patients infected with the hepatitis C virus through intravenous drug abuse receive effective antiviral therapy. The aim of this study was to determine if supervised treatment in a drug treatment centre could improve compliance with antiviral therapy. A pilot study of supervised anti-viral treatment in a community non-residential drug treatment facility was conducted. Thirteen patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 2 or 3 were identified in a drug treatment clinic. Six patients agreed to treatment. Full treatment course was administered in all 6 with sustained viral response in 5/6. This study demonstrates that effective treatment penetration can be improved for this patient group by shared care with drug treatment services, without the need for significant increases in resources.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keavney
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Toole
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moloney
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D007372:Interferons; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a; D008691:Methadone