Hepatitis C pegasus treatment

[Bess0721]

I need info on treatment called pegasus for Hepatitis C.

[Bess0721]

I sent a reply but think is got lost.  I did something wrong I guess.  I'm new at this but will try again later.  I'm inquiring for my Son and I appreciate the information that is provided  here from everyone.  Just a worried Mom.  Beverly

[pooh55811]

An Update on Treatment of Genotype 1 Chronic
Hepatitis C Virus Infection: 2011 Practice Guideline by
the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases

http://www.aasld.org/practiceguidelines/Documents/AASLDUpdateTreatmentGenotype1HCV11113.pdf

Recommendations:

1. The optimal therapy for genotype 1, chronic
HCV infection is the use of boceprevir or telaprevir
in combination with peginterferon alfa and riba-
virin (Class 1, Level A)

2. Boceprevir and telaprevir should not be used
without peginterferon alfa and weight-based riba-
virin (Class 1, Level A)

For Treatment-Naıve Patients:

3. The recommended dose of boceprevir is 800 mg
administered with food three times per day (every 7-
9 hours) together with peginterferon alfa and
weight-based ribavirin for 24-44 weeks preceded by
4 weeks of lead-in treatment with peginterferon alfa
and ribavirin alone (Class 1, Level A)

4. Patients without cirrhosis treated with bocepre-
vir, peginterferon, and ribavirin, preceded by 4
weeks of lead-in peginterferon and ribavirin, whose
HCV RNA level at weeks 8 and 24 is undetectable,
may be considered for a shortened duration of treat-
ment of 28 weeks in total (4 weeks lead-in with
peginterferon and ribavirin followed by 24 weeks of
triple therapy) (Class 2a, Level B)

8. Patients with cirrhosis treated with either boce-
previr or telaprevir in combination with peginter-
feron and ribavirin should receive therapy for a du-
ration of 48 weeks (Class 2b, Level B)

Recommendations:

For treatment-experienced patients:

10. Re-treatment with boceprevir or telaprevir, to-
gether with peginterferon alfa and weight-based riba-
virin, can be recommended for patients who had viro-
logical relapse or were partial responders after a prior
course of treatment with standard interferon alfa or
peginterferon alfa and/or ribavirin (Class 1, Level A)

11. Re-treatment with telaprevir, together with
peginterferon alfa and weight-based ribavirin, may
be considered for prior null responders to a course
of standard interferon alfa or peginterferon alfa
and/or weight-based ribavirin (Class 2b, Level B.)

[can-do-man]

There are two main types of treatment regimens for hepatitis C:
Dual therapy: pegylated interferon and ribavirin
Triple therapy: pegylated interferon and ribavirin PLUS either boceprevir or telaprevir
You will be given a treatment regimen based in large part on your genotype. Genotype refers to the "strain" of hepatitis C virus that a person has. There are six genotypes. In the United States, genotype 1 is the most common, followed by genotype 2 and 3.
People with genotype 1 generally are given triple therapy.
People with genotype 2 and 3 are given dual therapy.

http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/patient/treat/decisions-treatment.asp  

[pooh55811]

As Advocate and Dee mentioned, there is more to the Hepatitis C treatment than just Pegasys. And as Dee mentioned, if you could tell us more about yourself, your Genotype and liver biopsy fibrosis stage, and if you have ever treated before, we may be able to better respond to your questions.

[can-do-man]

Are you really running a support group and telling people this stuff?

[pooh55811]

"The Pegasus is given by itself still to treatment-naive patients."  
----------------------------------------------
That statement is simply not true. If you are talking about Hepatitis C treatment, Pegasys is NOT given by itself for treatment naive patients. Pegasys is given in conjunction with Ribavirin for Genotype 2 and Genotype 3 patients. Pegasys is given in conjunction with Ribavirin and a Protease Inhibitor (either Incivek or Victrelis) for Genotype 1 patients.


"Due to the intensity and major side effects of the Incivek, it has been advised to start with the interferon/ribavirin treatment. "
------------------------------------------
Who advised that? Please post a link to the scientific document that you read that advises that.

The current standard of care for Genotype 1 is Interferon, Ribavirin, and a Protease Inhibitor (either Incivek or Victrellis).

[hrsepwrguy]

"Due to the intensity and major side effects of the Incivek, it has been advised to start with the interferon/ribavirin treatment."

If Incivek has changed their treatment protocol as you claim could you please post the link to that info, because as far as I know incivek does not have a lead in period as does victrelis, when you start treatment with incivek you start all 3 drugs at the same time.

[ga1i1eo]

The Pegasus is given by itself still to treatment-naive patients.  Due to the intensity and major side effects of the Incivek, it has been advised to start with the interferon/ribavirin treatment.  Good luck.

[Dee1956]

Advocate has given you excellent advice, I am sure others will help out too.
They could help even more if you are able to share a little more about yourself.  i.e.
What geno type do you have?
What are you taking along with the Pegasus?
Though neither tx is easy, I found the Pegasus to be much easier on my body, mind than the Pegintron.
Have you had a biopsy to see how your liver is doing?

Best wishes
Dee

[Advocate1955]

Pegasys is a brand name for Peginterferon alfa-2a or Pegylated interferon alfa-2a which is an antiviral drug made by La Roche.  It is given by injection.  It is used in combination with another medication called Ribavirin (a pill), and a third medication, either Victrellis or Incivek, which are both pills, to treat Hepatitis C.
Let us know if you have further questions.
Advocate1955