Multaq and Liver Damage : In addition, these people are at risk for reactivation of the virus—return of HBeAg positivity. This occurs approximately 20 to 30 percent of the time. An individual’s likelihood of reactivation increases if their immune system becomes suppressed. Such an occurrence may happen during treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, such as steroids [...]
Multaq and Liver Damage: The most effective treatment of chronic HCV is antiviral ther- apy—that is, medication that targets a virus. Interferon, a widely known antiviral discussed earlier in this chapter, is the treatment of choice for chronic HCV. Pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin-—-the most common treatment-—is the most effective treatment for chronic hepatitis [...]
Multaq and Liver Damage : In addition, these people are at risk for reactivation of the virus—return of HBeAg positivity. This occurs approximately 20 to 30 percent of the time. An individual’s likelihood of reactivation increases if their immune system becomes suppressed. Such an occurrence may happen during treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, such as steroids [...]
Multaq and Liver Damage : WHEN A LIVER BIOPSY ISN’T NECESSARY The doctor and the patient must work together to determine all aspects of the patient’s care, including the issue of undergoing a liver biopsy. The potential benefits of the biopsy must outweigh the potential risks. When the risks outweigh the benefits, other approaches to [...]
Multaq and Liver Damage : Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B There are basically two classes of drugs currently available for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: alpha-interferons and nucleoside analogues that inhibit the viral DNA polymerase. Interferons are naturally occurring proteins made by the body that stimulate the immune system and activate innate antiviral responses. [...]