title: Severe exacerbation of asthma: a new side effect of interferon-alpha in patients with asthma and chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: Interferon-alpha is used by physicians to treat numerous common medical disorders; however, therapy is often limited by side effects. Pulmonary complications, such as interstitial pneumonitis and bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, have been described in patients receiving interferon-alpha therapy. Exacerbation of asthma induced by subcutaneous administration of interferon-alpha has not been previously reported. We describe two patients with mild asthma in whom treatment with interferon-alpha for chronic hepatitis C resulted in exacerbation of the underlying asthma. The severe asthmatic symptoms resolved promptly after use of interferon-alpha was discontinued and corticosteroid therapy was initiated. Repeated treatment with interferon-alpha several months later resulted in a rapid, more severe exacerbation of asthma in both patients. Patients undergoing therapy with interferon-alpha, especially those with chronic asthma, should be monitored closely for pulmonary symptoms. If these symptoms develop, patients should be instructed to discontinue use of interferon-alpha and seek medical attention immediately.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, New York University Medical Center, Bellevue Hospital, and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York 10010, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Bini
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Weinshel
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha