Side effects of the therapy with peginterferon and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C: a small audit

J Pharm Pract. 2012 Feb;25(1):85-8. doi: 10.1177/0897190011415687. Epub 2011 Sep 21.

Abstract

This study sought to decribe, quantify, and classify any adverse reactions occurring in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon and ribavirin, as well as verify the occurrence of potential medication interactions. The most prevalent reactions were fatigue (84.8%), fever (83%), weight loss (80%), irritability (74%), and body pain (72%). Most of the reactions were classified as mild (95%), whereas 4.5% were classified as moderate and 0.4% as severe. Adverse reactions led to the rearrangement of therapy for 9 patients (20%), where there was a reduction in dose for 7 (15%), temporary interruption of treatment for 5 (11%), and permanent discontinuation for 3 patients (7%). A total of 11 potential medication interactions were identified in 9 patients (20%), with the most frequent between peginterferon-α2a and captopril (45%). Given the above, it is observed that the treatment of chronic hepatitis C is marked by several adverse reactions of varying severity, which can interfere with the patient's quality of life or in treatment compliance, and that can be aggravated by potential drug-drug interactions.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / chemically induced*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance
  • Polyethylene Glycols / adverse effects*
  • Quality of Life
  • Recombinant Proteins / adverse effects
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ribavirin / adverse effects*
  • Young Adult

Substances

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