Drug Interaction Study With Ribavirin and Abacavir in Male Subjects With Hepatitis C Who Have Failed Ribavirin Treatment

This research is being done to find out whether abacavir (Ziagen®) lowers the levels of ribavirin (Ribapak®) in the body of persons taking these two drugs.

Abacavir is an anti-HIV drug that belongs to the class of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Ribavirin is a drug used to treat hepatitis C infection. Both abacavir and ribavirin are approved by the Food and Drug administration (FDA). The doses of abacavir and ribavirin used in this study are also FDA approved.Some individuals who have HIV infection also have hepatitis C. It is possible that they may need to take both abacavir to treat HIV and ribavirin to treat hepatitis C. Recent studies suggest that abacavir decreases the level of ribavirin in the body, in the blood and in cells named peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC's). Thus, taking ribavirin and abacavir together could lead to treatment failure for hepatitis C. Therefore, it is important to understand whether ribavirin levels are affected when the two medications are taken together.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) -monoinfected subjects who either successfully completed (defined as cured) or previously failed RBV-based therapy for hepatitis C infection, and are currently not receiving therapy for hepatitis C; at least 18-64 years of age. HCV cure is defined as a sustained undetectable viral response at 24 weeks post treatment.
* Females who are not of reproductive potential (defined as women who have been postmenopausal for at least 24 consecutive months or who have undergone hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or bilateral tubal ligation.
* Negative serum β- human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
* Negative HIV-1 serology documented by any licensed Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) test kit within 30 days prior to study entry.
* Positive HCV antibody documented within 30 days prior to study entry.
* Negative Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-B\*5701 test documented within 30 days prior to study entry.
* Ability and willingness of subject to provide a signed informed consent and comply with study requirements.
* All subjects must not participate in a conception process (e.g., active attempt to impregnate, sperm donation, in vitro fertilization). If participating in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy, male subjects must take every precaution to avoid risk of pregnancy for their female partners by using reliable contraception (condom) while receiving study therapy and for 6 months following permanent discontinuation of study therapy. Subjects will also be instructed to counsel their female partners regarding fetal risk and need for appropriate contraception (e.g., hormonal, barrier) so as a secondary effort to prevent pregnancy even though the female partners will not be study participants.
* Estimated creatinine clearance ≥50 mL/minute, within 30 days prior to study entry
* Laboratory values obtained within 30 days prior to study entry:
* Hgb within the normal limits as defined by the reporting laboratory
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase \>5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) as defined by the reporting laboratory.
* Direct bilirubin ≤1.5 x ULN as defined by the reporting laboratory.
* Follicle Stimulate Hormone (FSH) measurement elevated into the menopausal range for females who report being postmenopausal for at least 24 consecutive months is required at screening for all female subjects.
* Subject has not consumed alcohol in the 48 hours prior to the administration of study drugs.
* Framingham cardiovascular disease risk score \<10%.

Exclusion Criteria:

* As determined by the investigator, a significant active or previous history of cardiovascular, renal, hematologic, neurologic, gastrointestinal, psychiatric, endocrine, or immunologic disease (s). This inclusive of chronic illnesses such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, arthritis, diabetes, any chronic gastrointestinal condition that may affect drug absorption. History of chronic or acute medical condition that in the opinion of the investigator would jeopardize safety of subjects participating in this study. Any other medical or psychological condition that might, in the opinion of the site investigator, interfere with participation in the study or put subjects at undue risk.
* History of anemia, hemoglobinopathy or any other cause of or tendency to hemolysis.
* History of RBV-induced anemia that required dose reduction or discontinuation of RBV therapy while receiving treatment for hepatitis C infection in the past. Patients who required treatment with erythropoietin or blood transfusion for the management of RBV-associated anemia will be excluded from participating in the study.
* Use of prescription or over-the-counter medications, including herbal products, within 30 days prior to study entry that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude study participation.
* Pregnant women or men with a pregnant female partner.
* Breast feeding
* Active drug use or dependence that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements, and/or currently receiving methadone replacement therapy for the treatment of substance abuse.
* Inability of abstaining from alcohol-containing beverages for the duration of the study.
* Hospitalization or therapy for serious illness within 30 days prior to study entry as judged by the investigator.
* Known or suspected hypersensitivity reaction to study drugs or their formulations.
* Participation in any investigational drug study within 30 days prior to study entry.
* Active or history of gout disease.