Differences between interferon types

[mingler]

Since I've been on this site for 6 weeks following other people's tx, I've wondered, why are some Hep-C patients treated with Roche Interferon Alpha 2-a versus Shering-Plough Interferon Alpha 2-b?

[mingler]

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for asking how the treatment is going. It isn't. After 6 weeks I became severly anemic, had no coverage for Procrit, and had a red count below what Roche recommends to stop treatment. So I did. If it was up to my doctor, he would have kept me on  iron pills and eating lots of spinach. I was so winded by lack of oxygen, my kidneys were aching, and I was becoming psychotic. In spite of your generous help, it just wasn't enough to keep me going. I would say that my treatment was badly planned, but that would imply that there was a plan. There wasn't. I was started in a very cavalier manner and the result was a short attempt. I've already gotten a 2 month committment from Roche, and a 6 month supply of Procrit from their patient assistance program. I've applied for coverage through the VA and so far it looks likely that they will pick up full coverage. I always learn from mistakes, and this ordeal had many lessons to be learned. I plan on resuming my treatment in the beginning of December when I have all my ducks in a row. Until then I'll be checking out this site daily building up my knowledge so that things wil go smoother the second time around. It does feel so good to be off the meds. I'm beginning to feel my tongue again. You must be feeling good too by now. I really hope so.
                Rick

[friole]

Hey Mingler, how are you? Is treatment going a little smoother?  Are you doing your own shots?  Did the Peggasist program kick in smoothly.  I have been thinking about you and wondered how the sides effects were going.  Best of luck to you.  Don't know the difference in the two products - I think it is marketing.


Carolyn, I am not sure I know the differnce between infergen and interferon. Maybe you need to post a new thread. I googled and copied a couple of things...

http://209.51.172.19/forums/gastro/archive/3451.html

http://www.natap.org/2006/DDW/DDW_33.htm

--Consensus interferon (Interferon alfacon-1, CIFN) is a bio-optimized alfa interferon that exhibits increased in-vitro antiviral activity than the naturally occurring alfa interferons 2a and 2b

http://janis7hepc.com/infergen.htm

lots of articles on infergen but I don

[Liv]

For more info. re: different "brands" of Interferon, you can go to www.hepatitisdoctor.com.  That's Dr. Bennett Cecil's website and his approach seems sensible, reasonable and rational.  Wish all docs were this open with regards to non-responders.

[mremeet]

That's funny, I've seen those same suitcase toting hotties at my hospital too. As I was sitting in the waiting area for the bloodraw lab, one of them came over and refilled all of the pamphlet racks located throughout the waiting room. No matter what it is, sex sells - fact of life.

[Kalio1]

Feeling a bit better today? Your first shot story sounded like a nightmare. My reactio was similar but I wasnt 3 hours away from home and stuck in traffic! Sounds so awful, hope today is better.

[GrandOak]

When asked to consider switching from 2aplha to 2beta I found this site to be a good one for information on studies comparing them.  For abstracts on Pegasys vs. PegIntro checkout following links:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16802006&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16780997&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15461877&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15456079&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15282352&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum

[SoCal Lady]

Jim---You're funny!  But I think there's truth in your humor.  Since I've begun treatment ( a mere month), I had lab work done three times.  Each time I've gone to the medical building where my blood is drawn, I've seen hot ***** pulling suitcases on wheels in the parking lot.  I KNOW they're the drug company reps!

[PasoPerson]

And does anyone know the difference between Interferon and Infergen?  

After 6 months on Interferon + Ribavirin, didn't work so they switched me to Infergen + Ribavirin.  It worked miracles for me, but after only 5 weeks it allowed my seizure disorder to break through their medication.  GIANT BUMMER.  But anyway, was wondering about the differences.  Anyone know?

Thanks, what a great place this is for us heppers ... and how much I appreciate those of you who've gone before us and still come here to help.

God bless -
Carolyn

[bobbyullc]

could you send that again,---my calculator does not have a      d or m button???
boooobby

[GrandOak]

if you put it in hexadecimal mode, you can get the "d".

[jmjm530]

It's formularized.

T = M + D X B squared


T -- interferon type
M -- marketing program
D -- dollars spent in trials
B -- marketing rep's bustline

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Seriously, some doctors use one, some the other, some both. Lots of factors including which drug they may be affliated with and their personal opinion based on what appears to be non-conclusive and conflicting study data. Since Peg Intron is weight-based, it seems reasonable at least to me, that it should be considered for heavier folks while Pegasys (one dose for all) might be considered for lighter folks.

[Kalio1]

Basically they are the same product but different brands. Some say one is superior to the other but that seems to line up with the one they use. In studies I believe they came out very similar if not the same when it comes to results. Some doctors prefer one or the other, some let you choose.