Adverse Effects of Two Different Peginterferon Molecules with Ribavirin Combination Therapy Used To Treat Chronic Hepatitis C

Peginterferon alfa (PEG-IFN-α) and ribavirin combination treatment may cause flu like symptoms, hematologic, neuropsychiatric, autoimmune adverse effects. This study aimed to compare adverse effects of two different PEG-IFN molecules used to treat chronic hepatitis C patients. 40 chronic hepatitis C patients followed by our clinic were enrolled to study. Twenty two patients were treated with PEG-IFN-α 2a and ribavirin combination, 18 patients were treated with PEG-IFN-α 2b and ribavirin combination for 48 weeks. Adverse effects were noted during treatment period. Flu like symptoms were the most frequent adverse effects observed in both treatment groups. Treatment was stopped because of adverse effects in 13.6% of PEG-IFNα 2a and ribavirin combination group and 11.1% of PEG-IFN-α 2b and ribavirin combination group. There was no statistically significant difference between frequency of advers effects and discontinuation rate of two therapy modalities. Finally, both of PEG-IFN molecules were found similar about frequency of adverse effects, reducing dose and discontinuation of treatment