Aa
ribavirin early?
I plan on starting Pegasys next month. My question is that would it be OK to start the ribavirin in low doses now so my body has time to get used to the 1000mg required when I start the Peg? I have already recieved my first month of meds.Thanks.
I Don't believe anyone knows the implications of starting riba first, so why take any chances with your treatment outcome?
As far as "getting used to" your 1000mg dose -- unless you have a cardiac history, or have a low pre-treatment hemoglobin level, I'd go with the "hit it hard, fast" school of thought.
The biggest problem some people intially have with ribavirin is anemia. And the best way to handle anemia is not to reduce riba dose, but to take a drug called Procrit.
Unfortunatly, many doctors wait too long to intervene with Procrit. This not only can dramatically lower quality of life on treatment, but it can put the entire treatment at risk due to the possiblity of riba discontinuance or dose reduction.
So if you're concerned about the riba -- and especially if you're over 50, male, have any kind of cardiac history, and/or a low pre-treatment hemoglobin level -- then I'd talk to your doctor about starting Procrit either at the beginning of treatment or even a couple of weeks before.
As far as "getting used to" your 1000mg dose -- unless you have a cardiac history, or have a low pre-treatment hemoglobin level, I'd go with the "hit it hard, fast" school of thought.
The biggest problem some people intially have with ribavirin is anemia. And the best way to handle anemia is not to reduce riba dose, but to take a drug called Procrit.
Unfortunatly, many doctors wait too long to intervene with Procrit. This not only can dramatically lower quality of life on treatment, but it can put the entire treatment at risk due to the possiblity of riba discontinuance or dose reduction.
So if you're concerned about the riba -- and especially if you're over 50, male, have any kind of cardiac history, and/or a low pre-treatment hemoglobin level -- then I'd talk to your doctor about starting Procrit either at the beginning of treatment or even a couple of weeks before.
I believe that it is more effective to hit the virus hard and fast initially. Porbably a lot of the initial sides are caused by toxins in the system from destroyed virus. This is just my opinion from what I have heard in the last couple years. I would start at the regular dose and not slowly build up to it. frank
AN excellent link. I did not think my doctor gave me enough info on Ribaviron. This helps alot.
Kathy
Kathy
Hi there,
you know, that seems perfectly logical to me on one hand, but I think the reason they say not to od that is for reasons TNHepGuy mentioned in his post. I think it is out of fear that you will become resistant to the riba before it has had the chance to work at its best in conjunction with the peg. Someone else may have more info. on the subject, but that is my best guess! Thanks for posting this question.
you know, that seems perfectly logical to me on one hand, but I think the reason they say not to od that is for reasons TNHepGuy mentioned in his post. I think it is out of fear that you will become resistant to the riba before it has had the chance to work at its best in conjunction with the peg. Someone else may have more info. on the subject, but that is my best guess! Thanks for posting this question.
I know the web site says not to, but to me it only makes sense that it would ease the initial side effects. Anyone know why they don't want you to start the ribavirin alone?
Go to the Pegasys website. They state not to take the copegus alone. Good Luck to you starting tx.
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