It's Pegylated
Right... in resonse to Ron's question... here's what I've found out about the difference between the treatments:
The cheap/usual treatment is Interferon and Ribavin. It has around a 60% success rate.
The newer treatment is Pegylated Interferon and Ribavin. That's the one that has an 80% success rate.
In NZ, to qualify for the better treatment you have to have advanced fibrosis in genoype 3.
So that's all I know. When I have some more time I'll need to do some research to find out what on earth "Pegylated" means!
The cheap/usual treatment is Interferon and Ribavin. It has around a 60% success rate.
The newer treatment is Pegylated Interferon and Ribavin. That's the one that has an 80% success rate.
In NZ, to qualify for the better treatment you have to have advanced fibrosis in genoype 3.
So that's all I know. When I have some more time I'll need to do some research to find out what on earth "Pegylated" means!
posted by Filosofette at 3:56 pm
5 Comments:
Hi Filosofette,
I have news for you. The treatment you are being offered is out of the ark. It is obsolete here and for very good reasons. The modern Pegylated interferons (PegIntron and Pegasys) are a lot more effective. You could expect a better than 85% chance of a cure with these treatments, and only one injection per week. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) who regulate treatment in the UK have come out very firmly in favour of the pegylated interferons on cost and cure-rate grounds, and they are noted for being tight-fisted with health service money. The sums are going to be much the same worldwide, so if I were you I would push for early treatment with pegylated interferon and use the UK guidelines as ammunition.
The sooner you are treated the better, and if you can bully the powers that be into using the current treatments, so much the better.
It makes me very angry that you are being offered second class treatment, and reluctantly at that. I thought that second class was reserved for the British NHS!
Martin
Hi Filosofette,
Am in agreement with Ron and Martin - modern pegylated interferons are what is currently offered for standard hcv treatment here in Canada. Am very surprised to learn that the standard provision there is the older nonpegylated interferons, unless liver damage is severe. Thank goodness you're able to get the newer medications!
Schering Plough does also make a pegylated interferon, which I'm taking, here in Canada called "Pegetron". It's received in boxes containing 2 redipen peg-interferon injections and enough ribavirin for 2 weeks (my fridge is filled with these boxes!). For interest, the Schering Plough site is www.sch-plough.com/schering_plough/pc/hepatitis.jsp
Sue
Hi Filosphette.
I`m gen 3a on my 9th week of treatment, and live in Germany.
The standard treatment here is also with pegylated interferon.I'm on Pegasys.
I wish you all the best
Eddie
Hi there, I'm in New Zealand too, Filosphette. I think that Pharmac only recently were able to supply Pegasys to Hep C sufferers and that was because of a reluctance by the powers that be to allocate funding for this disease. Look at the struggle NZ hemophyliacs are going through beacause of the Govt's slack attitude to testing for Hep C from 1990-1992, when testing was available but not thought neccessary by the then minister of health, Helen Clark.
I am in week 25 of 48 using Pegasys and Copegus,for Genotype 1 a or b, so far the virus is taking a beating.My biopsy was grade 2 inflamation and stage 1 fibrosis. I decided to treat beacause I am menopausal and it was a good time for me, although anytime is a good time.I wish you all the best on your travels.
Hi!
I'm a 48 years old mail with hep c,I was in my 13 week of pegasys tratment when I lost my vision in my left eye and also damage the right ,So user's be aware of posibles side effects before its to late.
You must use an especialite center for this tratment.I find out the hard way that a lots of doctor are prescribing
this drug without knowing how to monitor this side effects.I got off the treatment.I'm doing well, just by changing my life style.After reading alot about.... how what we call third world country"s deal with this problem.In China
for example they use herbs medicine, to improve your inmune system to fight the virus. I'll try and it's working, So good lock to every one and remember have your doctor pay attention at any warning sign before it's to late .
By
Eric
eric@realisticcommuncations.com
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