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Tapering of interferon?
Several on the forum are familiar with the concept of tapering interferon at the end of trt, but it is new to me. I’ve seen some minor mention in recent posts about tapering and the rationale for doing this sounds reasonable and worth consideration.
For those not familiar, the idea is to slowly taper the interferon so your immune system can gradually return to normal, producing its own interferon and better identify any stray virons floating around at the end of treatment potentially avoiding what we all want to elude - relapse. The other concern is abruptly stopping the injections could lead to potential withdrawal issues and post tx symptoms such as rashes, depression, etc.
Sorry to rehash an old topic since it was discussed at length 2007-09 with a ton of posts. I’m only at week 14 of 48, so I have plenty of time to consider this as a possible option.
Are there any trials/publications to support the tapering of interferon? There seemed to be some strong opinions on both sides and I’m wondering if there is any new information to support the possibility of avoiding relapse due to the sudden removal of interferon. It didn’t sound like the tapering of riba was necessary due to its long half life. I guess the other issue is getting your GI/Hepa to agree with this concept and having your insurance approve it.
Any thoughts or opinions? Anyone do it or plan on it?
For those not familiar, the idea is to slowly taper the interferon so your immune system can gradually return to normal, producing its own interferon and better identify any stray virons floating around at the end of treatment potentially avoiding what we all want to elude - relapse. The other concern is abruptly stopping the injections could lead to potential withdrawal issues and post tx symptoms such as rashes, depression, etc.
Sorry to rehash an old topic since it was discussed at length 2007-09 with a ton of posts. I’m only at week 14 of 48, so I have plenty of time to consider this as a possible option.
Are there any trials/publications to support the tapering of interferon? There seemed to be some strong opinions on both sides and I’m wondering if there is any new information to support the possibility of avoiding relapse due to the sudden removal of interferon. It didn’t sound like the tapering of riba was necessary due to its long half life. I guess the other issue is getting your GI/Hepa to agree with this concept and having your insurance approve it.
Any thoughts or opinions? Anyone do it or plan on it?
This is an interesting thaught although I feal that if it was a big enaugh isue to be worried about than there probly would have been more said about it by our specialists and by all the many many trials they do with these drugs. All and all I feal pretty comfortable that there need be no tapering but that's just me : ) Good luck with the rest of your tx!
Every day off interferon is a good day. The fewer, the better in my view. There is proof that interferon causes serious problems, there is no proof that tapering improves your odds of SVR -- only opinions.
flcyclist, I can't tell you anything for sure. But you're an athlete your body is used to recovering. I just had my 6 month PCR on 7/21 180 day post tx on that day. I seem to be recovered pretty well, have 5 races in this season, have not gotten dropped once. I got a feeling this is the way it's going to go for you too. You'll be riding yer *** off very soon.
Yes, but your "clearing of the nasal cavity" post will certainly become a classic. :)
I've read many of the threads from 2007-09, but wondering if new data is available since then to support the theory. I understand anyone's reluctance to give advice since we aren't doctors, but just looking for opinions. Hope I'm not stirring a hornets nest here.
I've read many of the threads from 2007-09, but wondering if new data is available since then to support the theory. I understand anyone's reluctance to give advice since we aren't doctors, but just looking for opinions. Hope I'm not stirring a hornets nest here.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Tapering-off-the-Interferon-and-Ribavirin-at-the-EOT/show/732364
This is one with around 80 responses. If you type in Tapering off Interferon in Search there are more. I personally don’t see what the point is in tapering but, I quit giving advice a long time ago. Twice I gave wrong information but was fortunate to have someone come behind me and correct it. Since then, I leave it to the others that are far more knowledgeable than I and help with what I can.
This is one with around 80 responses. If you type in Tapering off Interferon in Search there are more. I personally don’t see what the point is in tapering but, I quit giving advice a long time ago. Twice I gave wrong information but was fortunate to have someone come behind me and correct it. Since then, I leave it to the others that are far more knowledgeable than I and help with what I can.
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Have you looked at trough levels on the decreased dosage? With pegylated interferon, you might be exposing yourself to little or no interferon for some days of the week. I don't know the answer to this, but if you decrease your dose and your trough levels drop too far, you might be allowing virons to start reproducing once again. I think this is a risky approach. If you extend treatment another 4 weeks and taper during that period, you will have taken the prescribed dose for the proper duration and just be experimenting with the value of a taper.
Personally, I think interferon is so toxic that I wouldn't extend my treatment for one hour. I also wouldn't take a risk by dropping trough levels to the point where the virus could start reproducing once again. The very reason pegylated interferon was developed and is more potent than standard interferon, is that the trough levels remain high between doses.