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  • Title: Ribavirin in hepatitis C related cryoglobulinemia.
    Author: Durand JM, Cacoub P, Lunel-Fabiani F, Cosserat J, Cretel E, Kaplanski G, Frances C, Bletry O, Soubeyrand J, Godeau P.
    Journal: J Rheumatol; 1998 Jun; 25(6):1115-7. PubMed ID: 9632073.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: An open, uncontrolled trial of ribavirin, an oral guanosine nucleoside analog for treatment of hepatitis C, in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated cryoglobulinemia intolerant to interferon. METHODS: Five patients with cryoglobulinemia related to HCV infection unresponsive to interferon therapy received oral ribavirin (100 to 1200 mg daily) for 10 to 36 months. RESULTS: Patients treated with ribavirin had prompt decrease in serum aminotransferase levels and marked improvement of manifestations of cryoglobulinemia within a few weeks. Ribavirin did not eradicate HCV RNA from the sera, but a decrease in viral load was observed in 3 patients, from 232 to 86 x 10(5) copies HCV/ml. Relapse occurred within 3 months once therapy was discontinued. The drug was well tolerated, but mild dose related hemolysis was common. CONCLUSION: Ribavirin monotherapy may be effective in patients with symptomatic cryoglobulinemia related to HCV infection, but this effect is not sustained when ribavirin therapy is discontinued.
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