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Ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C: And the mystery goes on
- Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Twenty years ago, ribavirin was first used in the treatment for chronic hepatitis C. After few years, ribavirin, in combination with interferon-alpha, showed a dramatic synergistic efficacy against hepatitis C virus infection, leading to viral clearance in about 50% of patients. Recent discovery of potent inhibitors of hepatitis C virus proteases did not replace ribavirin as the mainstay of combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Despite this fundamental role of ribavirin, many aspects of the mechanism of action and of the optimal dose and duration of therapy remain to be discovered or settled. In the present review, the authors recall the milestones in the history of ribavirin and try to shed light on the more relevant features of ribavirin action and utilization, and on the clinical problems encountered in managing and optimizing treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Finally, some potential off-label use of this drug in most difficult-to-treat subjects is pointed out. In conclusion, even if a sort of mystery surrounds ribavirin, its efficacy against hepatitis C virus infection fortunately remains lasting and stable.
- Subjects :
- Drug
Combination therapy
Hepatitis C virus
media_common.quotation_subject
viruses
medicine.disease_cause
Antiviral Agents
Drug Administration Schedule
chemistry.chemical_compound
Pharmacotherapy
Chronic hepatitis
Ribavirin
Medicine
Humans
TERAPIA COMBINATA
media_common
Hepatology
business.industry
Gastroenterology
MECCANISMO D' AZIONE
Interferon-alpha
virus diseases
Hepatitis C
Off-Label Use
Hepatitis C, Chronic
medicine.disease
EPATITE C
digestive system diseases
RIBAVIRINA
Peg interferon
HCV
chemistry
Immunology
Drug Therapy, Combination
business
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....db429a6a5e8f8f96b7b439b6571f04e1