engleski

Retreatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with interferon alpha, ribavirin and amantadin

Aim. To evaluate the efficacy of triple therapy with interferon alfa, ribavirin and amantadin in chronic hepatitis C patients who did not respond or relapsed after interferon alfa/ribavirin combination therapy. Patients and methods.19 patients(14 male and 5 female, mean age 44.3 years)with biopsy proven chronic hepatitis C and genotype 1b were included in the study.They were treated during the first 3 months with daily interferon alfa(Roche)6 MU, ribavirin 1000-1200 mg and amantadin 200 mg.During the subsequent 9 months, the therapy was interferon alfa TIW, ribavirin and amantadin daily.Serum HCV RNA(RT-PCR)was tested at the end of 2nd week, at the end of 3rd, 6th and 9th month, at the end of therapy and after 3rd and 6th month of follow-up period.Serum HCV RNA clearence was considered as virological response(VR). Results.Virological response was 5.3% at 2nd week, 21% at 3rd month, 58% at 6th month, 52.6% at 9th month and 42%(8/19 patients)at the end of therapy(ET).All 8 patients with ETR remained PCR negative after 3 and 6 months of follow up period.One patient developed acute psychosis. Conclusion. The study revealed VR of 42% in patients who relapsed or did not respond to interferon alfa/ribavirin combination therapy.

Chronic hepatitis C; treatment; interferon alpha; ribavirin; amantadin

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