Many questions!!

[gdfriend]

How often do you take the interferon/ribaviring shots?
How long do the symptoms last?
How far into treatment do you develop varices?
Whats the difference between interferon and peginterferon?

Thank you
Rose

[diane128]

I take one shot every friday and 3 pills in morning 2 at night everyday interferon is cheaper ands just as good already mixed  shot and peginterferon  you have to premix before shot is what i understand not bad symptoms mostly dry skin some nausea and diarreha this will be my 20th week have 28 more to go testing negative so far wish me luck im stage 3

[gdfriend]

Thank you so much!  What would I do without you????    I really appreciate your help and KNOW I will have more questions as time goes on.
Rose

[Bill1954]

Hi Rose~

Interferon injections are self administered; they’re similar to insulin injections, and tuck under the skin of the thighs or abdomen. You’re friend’s doctor will probably have him take a quick class in how to perform this task; it’s not hard to do, really.

If by symptoms you’re referring to side effects from the meds, they will vary. He might initially develop a hang-over feeling initially that lasts 12 hours or so; then later on in therapy, the side effects might be less distinct, but tend to be fairly constant. It varies wildly from person to person, so it’s hard to say exactly what he’ll experience with any accuracy.

Esophageal varices are a result of portal hypertension and cirrhosis. They are not an adverse event from interferon therapy, and shouldn’t develop as a result of interferon treatment.

Peginterferon (pegylated interferon) is interferon that has been combined with a polyethylene glycol molecule to extend the action of interferon in the body. Standard interferon used for HCV therapy used to require injections 3 x week, versus the weekly injections now. There are a couple of different types now available; Pegasys and Peg-Intron; both are prescribed with the oral drug ribavirin.

--Bill