Interferon Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis The major drug therapy for chronic hepatitis C is alpha-2a-interferon (Intron A). This drug slows the progression of the virus in 40% of the individuals who take it by protecting the healthy cells of the liver from being infected by the hepatitis virus and retarding viral replication. When interferon works, depending on the severity of the disease and the health of the patient, it often takes six months to a year to return liver function to normal. And once the enzymes and viral load are reduced and the interferon is discontinued, they sometimes return to the high levels present before therapy was started. Here are a few other things to know about interferon before deciding to start treatment:
It may be that interferon therapy is best for getting people with very high enzymes (200 to 2,000) "over the hump." However if interferon is used, it should always be coupled with a natural program. Although many doctors maintain that interferon is the only way to reduce the amount of virus in the liver and blood and lessen inflammation, my clinical and personal experience with a number of cases is quite to the contrary. One case involved a 45-year-old man who contracted hepatitis C ten years ago from a blood infusion and was told by his doctor that the virus had destroyed 80% of his liver. He began interferon therapy eighteen months before he came in to see me, even using a double dose for six months, all to no avail. His liver enzymes did not go down, and his viral load was not reduced. The main side effect of the interferon was an out-of-control temper, which had troubled him as a young man but not in recent years. Finally, when it seemed the interferon was not working, the doctor told him to stop taking it. About six months later, this man happened to read some of my writings on milk thistle and natural liver therapy. After consulting with me, he began a daily regimen of 600 mg of milk thistle (80% standardized product). Later he started to change his diet, adding more fresh fruits and vegetables. He was obviously quite encouraged when, after a few months, his liver enzymes came down to a level lower than they'd been in years. Although this was not a controlled study and thus inconclusive, it does point out that the natural program is worth a try in every case-if not as the sole method of therapy, then at least in a supportive role to liver biopsy and interferon. With the natural program, all you have to lose are symptoms and, in some cases, the disease. < return to intro to next excerpt >
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