title: Serotonin and its implication in the side-effects of interferon-based treatment of patients with chronic viral hepatitis: Pharmacological interventions.
abstract: Depression is a frequent side-effect of interferon-based treatment of patients with chronic viral hepatitis, that may lead to reduction or discontinuation of treatment. Clinical trials data showed the importance of therapy of psychiatric disorders for a successful antiviral treatment. Emerging evidence suggests that interferon may cause depression affecting serotonin synthesis via increased activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors significantly improve mood disorders, but the use of these drugs requires caution because some studies reported the emergence of mania in patients treated for depression during antiviral therapy. Therefore, this review will examine and discuss the putative role of serotonin and its metabolism in the development of depression during antiviral therapy, focusing on pharmacological interventions to reduce side-effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stasi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosselli
authors.forename: Anna Linda
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zignego
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laffi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Milani
keywords: depression; hepatitis C; interferon; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; serotonin; side-effect