title: Chronic hepatitis C treatment. Side effects and their management.
abstract: The current standard of treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection is the combination therapy of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin for 48 weeks for genotype 1 and 4 and 24 weeks for genotype 2 and 3. Side effects such as influenza-like syndrome, gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric, dermatological and endocrinological symptoms are not uncommon. Laboratory abnormalities such as hematological and biochemical may be frequent. These side effects are compatible with treatment continuation if symptoms are managed carefully. The adverse effects are dose dependent and often reversible. Premature withdrawal rates can be reduced if side effects are identified early. It is, however, pertinent to target treatment to early responders and avoid side effects in patients who have low predictive response to treatment.
authors.affiliation: King Faisal Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ossama A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Shobokshi
authors.forename: Atef O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Tantawe
authors.forename: Bashar M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Al-Kayyal
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin