Low dose ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C virus infected thalassemia major patients; new indications for combination therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Treatment guidelines contraindicate ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in thalassemia major patients. Nevertheless, the current evidence suggests that ribavirin might be tolerated by these patients.

Objectives

Despite this evidence, low dose ribavirin combination therapy has not been compared with peginterferon monotherapy in these patients so far.

Patients and methods

Two hundred eighty thalassemia patients with detectable HCV-RNA PCR (≥ 50 IU/mL) and liver histology consistent with chronic HCV infection were self-assigned to receive peginterferon alfa-2a (n = 81) monotherapy or its combination therapy with ribavirin, 600-800 mg QD, according to hemoglobin levels (n = 199). Treatment experienced patients were eligible for this stu

SUBMITTER: Tabatabaei SV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3412553 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature