Effect of interferon and ribavirin combined with amantadine in interferon and ribavirin non-responder patients with chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of amantadine plus interferon-alpha and ribavirin in non-responder patients with chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
Twenty-six non-responder patients received the regimen of IFN-alpha-2a at a dose of 6 million units three times a week, 1 000-1 200 mg of ribavirin daily, and 200 mg of amantadine daily in divided doses over 48 wk. After the end of treatment, at the 72nd wk, a sustained viral response rate was determined.


RESULTS
An early (after 12 wk of therapy) response was seen in 34.6% (9/26) of patients. Response rate at the 24th wk was 42.3% (11/26). End of treatment response (ETR) was 53.8% (14/26). Sustained viral response (SVR) was 42.3% (11/26). There was a statistically significant difference between 0 and 12 wk (P = 0.04), 0 and 24 wk (P = 0.01), 0 and 48 wk (P = 0.00), and 0 and 72 wk (P = 0.001). No patient had severe adverse effects during the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination regimen of interferon-alpha, ribavirin and amantadine can enhance sustained viral response on IFN-alpha and ribavirin non-responder patients with HCV. Triple therapy with amantadine should be evaluated in further studies.
Oguz
Dilek
D
Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Hospital, Gastroenterology Clinic, Turkey.
Cicek
Bahattin
B
Filik
Levent
L
Odemis
Bulent
B
Kilic
Mesut
M
Altintas
Engin
E
Zengin
Neslihan
N
Altiparmak
Emin
E
D000328:Adult; D000547:Amantadine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin; D000547:Amantadine