Roche Roferon-A for chronic hepatitis C labeling recommends 12-month treatment schedule.

Executive Summary

ROCHE ROFERON-A 12-MONTH TREATMENT REGIMEN FOR CHRONIC HEPATITIS C is recommended in product labeling. "Normalization of serum [alamine transaminose] ALT generally occurs within a few weeks after initiation of treatment in responders," labeling states. "Approximately 90% of patients who respond to Roferon-A do so within the first three months of treatment; however, patients responding with a reduction in ALT should complete 12 months of treatment." Schering-Plough's Intron-A labeling recommends that hepatitis C patients complete six months of therapy, but notes that optimal dose and duration are under investigation.