interferon-alpha + ribavirin

Interferon-alpha + ribavirin is a combination antiviral therapy primarily used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection. Interferon-alpha (including forms such as interferon alfa-2b and pegylated interferons like peginterferon alfa-2a or alfa-2b) is a recombinant protein that stimulates the body's innate immune response by binding to type 1 interferon receptors, activating the JAK/STAT pathway, and inducing antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory effects. Ribavirin is a nucleoside analogue with broad-spectrum antiviral activity; it inhibits viral RNA synthesis and viral replication. The combination of these two agents has been shown to significantly increase sustained virologic response rates compared to monotherapy with interferon alone in patients with chronic hepatitis C[3][8][9]. This regimen was standard-of-care before the advent of direct-acting antivirals.

Other names

interferon alpha + ribavirininterferon alfa + ribavirinIFN-α + ribavirinIFN-alpha + ribavirin