Copegus

Maker:
Roche

What it does:
In combination with Pegasys, treats chronic hepatitis C infection

Traditional dosage:
800 to 1,200 mg daily, depending on patient’s weight, taken twice daily in 200 mg capsules, with food.

Drug interactions, precautions, & recommendations:
Do not use if you have cirrhosis or will be having a liver transplant; or if you take Videx or Videx EC. Use caution when taking with NRTIs (Combivir, Epivir, Epzicom, Retrovir, Trizivir), as drug interactions could lead to toxicity. Do not take if you have certain blood disorders, such as thalassemia major or sickle-cell anemia; or certain types of hepatitis. Do not take if you are pregnant or if you or your partner plan to become pregnant.

Side effects:
Most serious: stunted growth among patients under 17; severe eye, blood, lung, or liver problems; pancreatitis; skin reactions (some fatal); depression or suicidal thoughts; high blood sugar or diabetes; fetal death or birth defects
Other: flu-like symptoms, tiredness and weakness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, anemia, hair thinning, trouble sleeping