Dosage:
Chronic hepatitis C:Adt: Over 18
yrs, body-weight under 65kg,
400mg twice daily; body-wt
65-85kg, 400mg in the morning
and 600mg twice daily. Children:15-20mg/kg
body wt daily in three divided
dosage for 5-7 days
Precautions:
Exclude pregnancy before treatment;
effective contraception essential
during treatment and for 4 months
after treatment in women and for
7 months after treatment in men;
routine monthly pregnancy tests
reconmmended; condoms must be used
if partner of male is pregnant
(ribavirin excluding ECG recommended
before and during treatment full
blood count, platelets, electrolytes,
serum creatinine, liver funcation
tests and uric acid before starting
treatment, then on weeks 2 and
4 of treatment, then as indicated
of laboratory abnormalities develop
(consult product literature)
AdverseEffects:
Haemolytic anaemia; also reported
(in combination with peginterferon
alfa-2b mouth, stomatitis, glossitis,
dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea,
constipation, pancreatitis, anorexia,
weight loss; Chest pain, tachycardia,
syncope, flushing, dyspnoea, cough,
rhintis, pharyngitis; sleep disturbances,
asthenia, impaired concentration,
irritability, aggression, anxiety,
depression, dizziness, tremor,
hypertonia, myalgia, arthralgia,
paraesthesia, influenza-like symptoms,
headache; thyroid disorders, menstrual
disturbances, reduced libido; rash,
pruritus, photosensitivity, alopecia,
dry skin; taste disturbances, blurred
vision, tinnitus; neutropenia,
thrombocytopenia, aplastic anaemia,
lymphadenopathy, hyperuricaemia
Indication:
Severe respiratory syncytial virus
bronchiolitis in infants and Children;
in combination with peginterferon
alfa-2b or interferon alfa for
chronic hepatitis C not previously
treated in patients without liver
decompensation and who have fibrosis
or high inflammatory activity or
for replapse following previous
response to interferon alfa
ContraIndication:
Pregnancy. Severe cardiac disease,
including unstable or uncontrolled
cardiac disease in previous 6 months;
haemoglobinopathies; severe debilitating
medical conditions; renal impairment;
severe hepatic dysfuncation or
decompensated cirrhosis; autoimmune
disease (including autoimmune hepatitis);
history of severe psychiatric condition
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