[Side effects of interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C].
A total of 3,882 Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C were given interferon (IFN) alone or combination therapy of IFN and ribavirin. Two hundred sixty-one (7.7%) patients stopped IFN therapy due to the adverse events after initiation of IFN alone therapy. About a half of patients with side effect discontinued the IFN regimen due to owing to general fatigue, psychiatric disorder, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. On the other hand, 82 (16.2%) patients stopped combination therapy of IFN and ribavirin due to the adverse events. We should carefully observe the patients treated with IFN. If patients treated with IFN have IFN-related adverse effects, we should stop IFN therapy or reduce the dose of IFN.
Arase
Yasuji
Y
Department of Gastroenterology, Toranomon Hospital.
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons