Hepatitis C Medication: An Overview
Two different drugs are used to treat
hepatitis C: peginterferon and ribavirin. Peginterferon can work by itself to treat the disease, but ribavirin cannot. Using the two medications together for hepatitis C is called combination therapy. Peginterferon is sold under the brand name PEGASYS
® or Peg-Intron
®. Ribavirin is sold under the brand name COPEGUS
® or Rebetol
®.
The
hepatitis C virus, or HCV, is constantly making copies of itself in your liver cells. Your immune system has been working hard to fight off the virus, but since the virus is constantly multiplying, your immune system needs some help.
Peginterferon and ribavirin are currently the best weapons in the fight against hepatitis C. Together, these
hepatitis C medications can kill the HCV and help make your immune system stronger so it is even better at destroying the virus. When you take combination therapy, both of these things happen inside your body at the same time.
Interferon Versus Peginterferon
Alpha interferon is a substance that is made naturally in your liver and other parts of your body.
It is a protein that helps your immune system work better to fight off infections, such as hepatitis.
The interferon drug that is often prescribed for hepatitis C is a synthetic version of alpha interferon. This means that it is made in a laboratory, but looks the same and does the same things as the natural protein.
There are both older and newer versions of synthetic alpha interferon. The older version is injected under the skin -- usually three times a week. The newer version, called "pegylated interferon," or "peginterferon," stays in your body longer than the older version, so you only have to inject it once a week. Studies have shown that this medication for hepatitis C is more effective than the older version.
