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Should ribavirin be used to treat hepatitis C in dialysis patients?
- Source :
-
Seminars in dialysis [Semin Dial] 2011 May-Jun; Vol. 24 (3), pp. 272-4. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Apr 11. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Hepatitis C virus infection adversely affects outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing maintenance dialysis. Pegylated interferon and ribavirin, the standard-of-care treatment in patients with intact renal function, is associated with severe side effects, toxicity, and high dropout rates in this population. Ribavirin has an important role in maintaining antiviral response following completion of therapy and increases sustained viral response (SVR) rates. However, the use of ribavirin in dialysis patients has been limited by the high frequency of severe hemolytic anemia and is currently reserved for study protocols and highly selected candidates treated at experienced centers. Encouraging data from small trials have shown a significant increase in SVR rates with the use of different dosing regimens of ribavirin in addition to interferon-based therapy and aggressive erythroid-stimulating agent support in dialysis patients. Use of ribavirin in selected dialysis patients, particularly renal transplant candidates, by experienced clinicians is appropriate.<br /> (© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)
- Subjects :
- Anemia, Hemolytic prevention & control
Antiviral Agents administration & dosage
Antiviral Agents pharmacokinetics
Erythropoietin therapeutic use
Humans
Interferon alpha-2
Interferon-alpha therapeutic use
Polyethylene Glycols therapeutic use
Recombinant Proteins
Ribavirin administration & dosage
Ribavirin pharmacokinetics
Anemia, Hemolytic chemically induced
Antiviral Agents adverse effects
Hepatitis C, Chronic drug therapy
Renal Dialysis
Ribavirin adverse effects
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1525-139X
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Seminars in dialysis
- Publication Type :
- Editorial & Opinion
- Accession number :
- 21480995
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-139X.2011.00851.x