Use of Infergen for Hep C

[rxbert]

At what point in the treatment of hepatitis C would you consider using Infergen?

[Advocate1955]

My husband was on daily Infergen injections with increased dose of Riba in fall of 2010.  It was a very, very tough treatment.  He had the two log drop initially, but didn't get to a low enough VL to continue at 12 weeks.  I think his VL was something like 1000 when he had to stop.  Infergen is a different variety of Interferon, but it didn't clear the virus for him.  The side effects were much worse than SOC and triple therapy (so far), because of the daily injections.  He became very anemic, had a very low white count, and had to go on both Procrit and Neupogen.  I don't know if a hepatologist would still prescribe Infergen now that the PIs are available.  It was an aggressive decision on the doctor's part and on our part to treat with Infergen because of the amount of liver damage that my husband showed between 2007 and 2010 due to Hep C.
Advocate 1955

[frijole]

I agree with pro -- I don't think the success rates with infergen are all that great, and the PI's give everyone a much better chance at success.

[Proactive]

Not sure that Infergen would even be offered as an option anymore.
Someone can correct me,
Pro