Depression and pegylated interferon-based hepatitis C treatment

Abstract

Abstract:Interferon remains an essential component of treatment regimens for chronic hepatitis C infection. Mood disturbances, including depression, are relatively common in the hepatitis C virus-infected population and may worsen during hepatitis C treatment. Screening for depression prior to commencement of therapy is crucial and may improve treatment outcomes. Whether prophylactic antidepressant therapy should be initiated prior to therapy of hepatitis C virus infection with an interferon-based regimen remains unclear. We review the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of depression before and during treatment of hepatitis C virus infection with interferon.

Immunotoxic effects of interferon alpha-2b, modified by immobilization by means of electron-beam synthesis technology

“…Эти препараты легко разрушаются ферментами желудочно-кишечного тракта (ЖКТ) и протеазами крови, что снижа-ет их биодоступность и вынуждает клиницистов увеличивать дозу и частоту введения препарата [8][9][10]. Парентеральное назначение высоких доз ИФН влечет за собой развитие побочных реак-ций [11][12][13][14]. У больных, принимающих большие дозы рекомбинантных ИФН, также наблюдается образования антител, нейтрализующих препарат, что сопровождается развитием резистентности к интерферонотерапии [10,15].…”

Frequency of Depression; During Pegylated Interferon Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C

“…This may increase their attendance to clinics and compliance of treatment which improved response rates and reduction of complications of the disease, mainly cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. 9…”