"Researchers also found that in the third of study participants whose ribavirin dosage was reduced as a result of anemia, cure rates actually improved to as high as 52 percent, whereas in those whose ribavirin dose stayed the same, cure rates were lower, at 37 percent."
"However, the new study, he says, shows that “we now have evidence that we can safely use less aggressive dosages without compromising a patient’s chances for long-term recovery.”
I thought much the same as you so this flies in the face of what I held to be true. This is based on a study that came out about the same time :
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2009/101609_a.html
BTW, statements like this below make me see red!
"The disease, transmitted by contact with blood and other body fluids of an infected person, through sexual activities, injection drug use or sharing of personal care items, kills more than 10,000 Americans annually."
Grrr!
I had a rib a dose reduction after about 4 weeks. I started at the normal dose and most of the time was only able to take 600 mg. Had severe anemia and had transfusions to help my hemog rise. Was in the clinical trial for vertex phase 3. Got my results recently and was undet. At 4 weeks and almost 2 years later still undetected. BTW, was in the placebo group. I worried the whole time I wouldn't be svr.
As recently as a couple of years ago there was much controversy about reducing dosage levels and many threads on the subject, most against reducing riba. I'm sure you can find some in the archives about the subject.