However, four people developed 3TC resistant HBV even with the higher 3TC dose. People who are most likely to respond to interferon-alfa therapy are likely to be younger, do not have cirrhosis, have low HCV levels and have HCV types 2 or 3. Commentary Hepatitis C deserves research attention as there are only a few therapeutic options, most of which have quite a few side effects. Additionally, we do not know how well these therapies work in people who are co-infected with HIV and HCV, if they will experience more side effects and how these therapies might affect the course of HIV disease. Furthermore, there is some potentially dangerous drug interactions between therapies for HCV and commonly used HIV therapies.
Ribavirin is a nucleoside analogue antiviral drug that is active against a number of viral diseases.
Another prohibitive feature of the drug is its price, which Schering-Plough has dramatically increased. Back in the days when ribavirin was experimentally used to treat HIV disease, it could be purchased for less than half that amount. Schering Plough's bundling tactics present a dramatic example of what happens when business interests take precedence over patient needs. Left untreated, CMV can lead to blindness. Studies show fomivirsen works equally well in people with newly diagnosed CMV retinitis as in those receiving other CMV therapies.