Hepatitis Central

The latest research & treatment news about Hepatitis C infection, diagnosis, symptoms and treatments.

J Rheumatol 1998 Jun;25(6):1115-1117

Ribavirin in Hepatitis C related cryoglobulinemia.

Durand JM, Cacoub P, Lunel-Fabiani F, Cosserat J, Cretel E, Kaplanski G, Frances C, Bletry O, Soubeyrand J, Godeau P

Department of Internal Medicine, CHU Sainte Marguerite, Marseille, France.

OBJECTIVE:

An open, uncontrolled trial of ribavirin, an oral guanosine nucleoside analog for treatment of Hepatitis C, in patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated cryoglobulinemia intolerant to interferon.

METHODS:

Five patients with cryoglobulinemia related to HCV infection unresponsive to interferon therapy received oral ribavirin (100 to 1200 mg daily) for 10 to 36 months.

RESULTS:

Patients treated with ribavirin had prompt decrease in serum aminotransferase levels and marked improvement of manifestations of cryoglobulinemia within a few weeks. Ribavirin did not eradicate HCV RNA from the sera, but a decrease in viral load was observed in 3 patients, from 232 to 86 x 10(5) copies HCV/ml. Relapse occurred within 3 months once therapy was discontinued. The drug was well tolerated, but mild dose related hemolysis was common.

CONCLUSION:

Ribavirin monotherapy may be effective in patients with symptomatic cryoglobulinemia related to HCV infection, but this effect is not sustained when ribavirin therapy is discontinued.

PMID: 9632073, UI: 98293834

Site Topics

  • HCV Symptoms

    You'll find links to a comprehensive symptoms list, as well as various studies and discussions about Hepatitis C symptoms.

  • Lab Tests

    What they are and what they mean. Helps you interpret & understand all the various hepatitis lab tests likely to be encountered.

  • Hepatitis C Genotypes

    Learn about Hepatitis C Genotypes and their variants.

  • Viral Load

    Provides detailed information on how to analyze and interpret viral load numbers as well as a link to a convenient Viral Load Chart.

  • What is...?

    Learn more about various Hepatitis C related topics, including HCV, Ascites, Biopsies, and much more.

  • HCV Medicines

    Numerous links to studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis of Ribavirin/Rebetron medicines.

  • Glossary

    Commonly used medical terms and definitions.

  • Hepatitis C Doctors

    A state-by-state and worldwide reference listing physicians who treat HCV, including an email link to submit your physician for inclusion.

  • Biopsy Info

    A comprehensive resource of information relating to the liver biopsy.

  • Cirrhosis

    Many discussions and analyses of cirrhosis, including causes, complications, pathology, symptoms, and much more.

  • Liver Cancer

    Liver Cancer/Hepatocellular Carcinoma studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis.

  • Liver Disease Medicines

    An exhaustive list of links to studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis of the various drugs used to treat liver disease.

  • Hep-Central Email List

    Sign up to learn about advances and breakthroughs in Hepatitis C research, including information about medical and complementary treatments.

  • HCV Links

    Convenient links to other sites external to Hepatitis-Central.

  • Mother/Child Transmission

    Discussions of the special problems and precautions necessary involving mother to child transmission of Hepatitis C.

  • HCV Natural Remedies

    A number of herbal products useful in the management of liver disease.

  • HCV Books

    Recommended reading for those interested in hepatitis information.

  • Hepatitis C Forum

    A Bulletin Board for discussions on hepatitis, treatments, etc.

  • Hepatitis C Activism

    An easy way to get involved in urging our government to do more for Hepatitis C awareness and treatment research.

Advertisement

Advertisement