peginterferon alfa-2b

what are the benefits of
"peginterferon alfa-2b" - as opposed to the horrible side-effects?????

-bluesurf66

[pcds]

Currently it is the only way to hopeful get rid of the virus.  The side effects for most are manageable sometimes with additional medicines.  Everyone has different degrees of side effects.  I think it gets easier as time goes on, for me at least, or maybe this week.

[Diane12855]

pcds is right. It's a choice between feeling rotten for a year or so (depending on genotype), or gradually feeling worse and worse until you wind up with cirrhosis, liver failure, or cancer... all which will make you feel rotten for much longer than a year, and can kill you.

I personally think that is a benefit.
Diane

[stalion]

i am currently treating with alfa-2a i have had very few side effects i was told alfa-2a was more forgivening not that i have treated before but like i said my sides have been minimal good luck to you what ever tx you try

[IAmTheWalrus]

I think alfa-2a and alfa-2b are comparable for results as far as SVR goes. I also think that alfa-2a is sometimes better tolerated and has become the defacto standard. Maybe someone who has treated with alfa-2b can offer more information.

I treated with alfa-2a and had the usual side effects, maybe a little worse than many since I had a long TX period, but it beats progression of liver disease by a long shot. If you do not treat, you have a greater risk of liver failure and needing transplant, still having to treat to stay alive, or worse yet, needing transplant and not getting it!

[jusjames]

the results are the same, but the half lifes are very different resulting in a different pattern of 1st and 2 nd wave of sides , its all nasty ....

[mikesimon]

Alfa 2a was much much easier for me to tolerate that was Alfa 2b. I treated with 2b twice for 1 year each and it was nearly impossible for me to finish both times. Then I treated with 2a for 73 weeks and that was a like a walk in the park compared with Alfa 2b.
I agree with Brent - the efficacy of both are considered comparable.

Mike

[nygirl7]

I treated for 72 weeks with 2b and had no idea it was supposed to be 'worse' so I tolerated it as well as anyone can.  However once you start talking daily shots of consensus interferon (infergen) then you are in a whole other ballpark with horror of side effects.

Since it is the current standard of care medication we are prescribed (2a or 2b) we do what we have to do - however from folks like Mike who have done both I think if you have a choice perhaps going with 2a is a better start if you are worried. But generally your doctor prescribes whichever medication is made by the company that is affiliated with your doctor.