extra weeks of interferon post-tx

[worrywartwife]

Happy Holidays. My husband is geno 2, begining vl 1,790,000, infected 31 years. He is at week 18/24, his only pcr at week 12 was undetectable. The pharmacy replaced a faulty peg-intron vial with a full box of 4, meaning he will have 3 vials left after ending tx.Would it benefit him to take 3 more weeks of interferon, after he completes tx? His side effects are now just from his anemia (last H&H was wk 16, 10.4&33) and he is on no rescue drugs. Would this help boost his immune system? Thanks guys-JoAnn

[ladybug52]

Glad you asked that question because I am always learning something new. Didn't know this med was something the body gets addicted to. Makes sense tho since most meds you don't just give up cold turkey without some response from the body.

[sfbaygirl]

I also heard from HR that tapering off is a good idea. To just stop is a shock to the system. When HR gets back why don't you post this questions.

[aiuta]

This could be the perfect opportunity for tapering off of the Interferon which SOME dr.'s feel is the way to go.  I spoke to 2 top Dr.'s (in the field) recently and one said yes and one said no.  Personally I was inclined toward the tapering myself, during a months time (only Interferon, not Riba).  It makes sense to me what the Dr. said that our body almost gets addicted to it and that it's better for the immune system to ease off, than to go cold turkey, like with some other drugs.  By the way, congrats that YOU (BOTH) are almost done.  This doesn't sound like it's been easy on you either (worry wise).  All my best, Aiuta

[NYgirl]

There aren't any studies to show that it might or might not benefit.  Nobody can really guarantee anything then.

Dr. Jacobson told me that a few extra weeks make no difference. That (for a geno 1 for example because that is what I am) there is no 60 Weeks - its 48 or 72.  I told him I knew of a few people that did like 52 or 56 and he said it really made no sense to do so.

I had wanted to do 60 weeks but instead did what he suggested by doing the 72 for which there IS data.

Some people have trouble going off the peg - they dont want to.  Personally I can't WAIT and am not taking this poison a minute more after 72. :)

[friole]

It wouldn't hurt to take them.  The serum level of the ribavirin should still be up pretty high so I don't think you have to worry about not having the riba to go with it.

I had 3 extra too since I had ruined a dose and they sent me an extra box.  I did not take them.

Like NY said, the only studies done are for 24, 48, and 72 weeks.  Still, interferon is known to help the liver and possibly reduce damage, so I don't see where it could hurt.

[HCA]

You don't say whether you have the extra riba to go with the surplus interferon.It's the riba that causes the anemia.
For geno 2 the chances of SVR at 24 weeks are pretty good.
No one can say whether taking the extra doses will improve those chances-it's a matter of instinct.If he is negative to <5 he is hopefully home and dry.In the absence of information to the contrary taking the extra doses will probably do no harm.
If you have confidence in your doctor ask what he thinks.