SIDE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS SCHEMES OF INTERFERON THERAPY OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS C AND THEIR CORRECTION

Abstract

The aim of this work was to assess the frequency and severity of major interferon-induced side effects depending on the applied interferon drug. The study included 29 patients with chronic hepatitis C with genotype 1b, 2, 3a/b. Patients received one of three drugs: interferon-alfa-2b, peginterferon-alfa-2b or repagination-alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin. The most commonly registered side effects induced by the interferon: flu-like syndrome, leukopenia, weight loss, thrombocytopenia and depression. Flu-like symptoms and depression were more often recorded when using peginterferon-alfa-2b. The weight loss and leukopenia were often associated with the use of repagination-alpha-2b. Thrombocytopenia with approximately the same frequency was recorded when using repagination-alfa-2b and peginterferon-alfa-2b; interferon alfa-2b caused thrombocytopenia less frequently. All these side effects in one way or another were subjected to correction (recommendations for lifestyle to reduce the doses of interferons, indication of additional drugs). Thus, the applied drugs have a similar safety profile slightly differing frequency and severity of most common side effects.

Keywords

• chronic hepatitis c
• antiviral therapy
• interferon
• side effects