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  • Title: Hepatitis C: limits and dose regimen of interferon alfa.
    Journal: Prescrire Int; 1998 Oct; 7(37):150-4. PubMed ID: 10915423.
    Abstract:
    (1) Hepatitis C can progress over decades, leading in some cases to cirrhosis or liver cancer. (2) The only treatment currently approved for preventing long-term complications of hepatitis C is interferon alfa (2a or 2b) at 3 MU 3 times a week for 12 months. It is recommended only for patients with chronic active hepatitis C. (3) The assessment of interferon alfa in clinical trials is based on surrogate end points (transaminase levels, histopathological changes, clearance of viraemia), and the results sometimes conflict. (4) There is no firm evidence that interferon alfa prevents cirrhosis. (5) Treatment with interferon alfa can be stopped after 3 months when patients fail to respond. (6) Thyroid disorders are the most important adverse effect of interferon alfa.
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