Are there any newer medications for the treatment of hepatitis C?
Yes. Among the new medications for hepatitis C include Ribavirin, Thymosin-alpha and PEG interferon. A description of each follows: Ribavirin (Virazole): This oral medication is approved for the treatment or relapse after an initial course of interferon treatment and for patients who are untreated. Ribavirin must be used in combination with interferon and results in a “cure” or sustained response (virus negative six months after stopping treatment in at least 40% of patients treated according to recent studies). Couples must not conceive children until six months after the man or woman stops medication. Because the major side effect of ribavirin is anemia, the medication should not be given to individuals with active coronary artery disease (angina). Thymosin-alfa -1 is similar to protein made in the human thymus gland (a large lymph node-like organ in the chest). This medication may be tested in the U.S. for the treatment of hepatitis C, but at this time, the data is inconclusive. PEG
