Psychosis during peginterferon-alpha 2a and ribavirin therapy: case report

Braz J Infect Dis. 2006 Dec;10(6):406-7. doi: 10.1590/s1413-86702006000600010.

Abstract

Pegylated Interferon-alpha, combined with ribavirin, gives high sustained virological response in patients with hepatitis C virus, an important public health problem and one of the most frequent chronic infectious diseases worldwide. Though it has therapeutic benefits, treatment with IFN-alpha may be complicated by various side effects, especially symptoms of major depression and acute mania. Psychosis is a rare side effect, and its management usually includes discontinuation of IFN-alpha. We report a case of psychotic disorder that occurred during therapy with pegylated Interferon-alpha given associated with ribavirin. After good response to psychiatric treatment, it became possible to finish the anti-viral therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyethylene Glycols / adverse effects*
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / diagnosis*
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / drug therapy
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ribavirin / adverse effects*
  • Risperidone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • Risperidone
  • peginterferon alfa-2a