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Induction doses of interferon‐ α ‐2a in combination with ribavirin and/or amantadine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in non‐responders to interferon monotherapy: a randomized trial
Author(s) -
Salmerón J.,
Diago M.,
Andrade R.,
Pérez R.,
Solá R.,
Romero M.,
De La Mata M.,
Granados R.,
RuizExtremera A.,
Mu¯oz de Rueda P.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2006.00771.x
Subject(s) - ribavirin , amantadine , medicine , interferon , combination therapy , gastroenterology , pharmacology , alpha interferon , chronic hepatitis , hepatitis c , randomized controlled trial , hepatitis c virus , virology , virus
Summary. The benefit of the triple therapy (interferon + amantadine + ribavirim) is still unknown. The efficacy of induction doses of interferon‐ α ‐2a monotherapy or in combination with ribavirin and/or amantadine was evaluated in interferon non‐responders with chronic hepatitis C. A total of 378 patients were randomized. All the groups received the same doses and duration of interferon‐ α ‐2a: (i) interferon 9 MUI/day for 4 weeks and then 3 MUI/3 t.i.w. for 44 weeks ( n = 53); (ii) interferon in combination with amantadine 100 mg twice daily for 48 weeks ( n = 111); (iii) interferon in combination with ribavirin 1000–1200 mg ( n = 106); (iv) interferon in combination with amantadine and ribavirin ( n = 108). Baseline parameters were similar in the four groups. Sustained virological and biochemical responses were 13%, 6%, 18% and 22% respectively. No significant differences were found between double ribavirin arm vs triple therapy, but the difference was significant between interferon–amantadine ( P = 0.008) and triple therapy ( P = 0.0005). Hence, the induction doses of interferon in combination with ribavirin or ribavirin plus amantadine showed encouraging results in patients with chronic hepatitis C who were resistant to interferon. However, triple therapy is not superior to double.