Effects of alpha interferon induction plus ribavirin with or without amantadine in the treatment of interferon non-responsive chronic hepatitis C: a randomised trial

Background: Fifty per cent of chronic hepatitis C patients are non-responders to interferon. At present, there are no recommended therapeutic options for non-responders. Aims: The safety and long term effect of alpha interferon induction plus ribavirin with or without amantadine in the treatment of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gut 2003-05, Vol.52 (5), p.701-705
Main Authors: Adinolfi, L E, Utili, R, Tonziello, A, Ruggiero, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
alanine aminotransferase
Alanine Transaminase - analysis
ALT
amantadine
Amantadine - administration & dosage
Amantadine - adverse effects
Antiviral Agents - administration & dosage
Antiviral Agents - adverse effects
Biological and medical sciences
Drug Administration Schedule
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Genotype
HCV
Hepatitis
hepatitis C
hepatitis C virus
Hepatitis C, Chronic - drug therapy
Hepatology
Human viral diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Interferon
Interferon-alpha - administration & dosage
Interferon-alpha - adverse effects
Liver
Liver Cirrhosis - drug therapy
Long term
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
million units
Prospective Studies
ribavirin
Ribavirin - administration & dosage
Ribavirin - adverse effects
RNA, Viral - analysis
Treatment Outcome
Viral diseases
Viral hepatitis
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Summary:Background: Fifty per cent of chronic hepatitis C patients are non-responders to interferon. At present, there are no recommended therapeutic options for non-responders. Aims: The safety and long term effect of alpha interferon induction plus ribavirin with or without amantadine in the treatment of interferon non-responsive chronic hepatitis C was evaluated. Patients and methods: A total of 114 consecutive patients were randomly divided into three groups with a final 2:2:1 ratio: group A (44 patients) received interferon alfa 2b, 3 million units (MU), three times a week, and oral ribavirin (1000 mg/day); group B (46 patients) received interferon 3 MU daily for the first four weeks and subsequently 3 MU three times a week, and ribavirin as in regimen A; and group C (24 patients) received interferon and ribavirin as in regimen B, plus oral amantadine hydrochloride (200 mg/day). The duration of treatment was 12 months. Results: The end of treatment response for groups A and B was 25% and 29%, respectively, and for group C, 68% (p
ISSN:0017-5749
1468-3288
1458-3288
DOI:10.1136/gut.52.5.701