Open AccessAlpha Interferon in Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Viral Infection (CHCV): Pilot Study of 18 Patients
Author(s) -
Mohamed A. Al-Karawi,
Abdul Mutaal Mohamed Ahmed,
Muhammad Yousuf,
Sohail Shariq,
Abdelrahman E. Mohamed,
Abdulrahman Aljumah
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
annals of saudi medicine/annals of saudi medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.373
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 0975-4466
pISSN - 0256-4947
DOI - 10.5144/0256-4947.1994.464
Subject(s) - medicine , chronic hepatitis , interferon , adverse effect , alpha interferon , virus , gastroenterology , virology
Eighteen patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (CHCV) were treated with three million units of interferon (IFN) three times a week for a minimum of six months. Four (22.2%) had completely responded, two (11.1%) had partial response and the rest (eight or 44.4%) did not show any evidence of response. After stopping treatment, patients who had a complete or partial response developed a relapse during the follow-up period. Few reversible adverse effects of treatment were reported in more than half of the patients. So, we conclude that three million units of IFN three times weekly is not recommended for treating patients with CHCV. Perhaps a larger dose of five to six million units should be tried and for a longer duration.