AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of amantadine plus interferon-alpha and ribavirin in non-responder patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Twenty-six non-responder patients received the regimen of IFN-alpha-2a at a dose of 6 million units three times a week, 1 000-1 200 mg of ribavirin daily, and 200 mg of amantadine daily in divided doses over 48 wk. After the end of treatment, at the 72nd wk, a sustained viral response rate was determined. RESULTS: An early (after 12 wk of therapy) response was seen in 34.6% (9/26) of patients. Response rate at the 24th wk was 42.3% (11/26). End of treatment response (ETR) was 53.8% (14/26). Sustained viral response (SVR) was 42.3% (11/26). There was a statistically significant difference between 0 and 12 wk (P = 0.04), 0 and 24 wk (P = 0.01), 0 and 48 wk (P = 0.00), and 0 and 72 wk (P = 0.001). No patient had severe adverse effects during the treatment. CONCLUSION: Combination regimen of interferon-alpha, ribavirin and amantadine can enhance sustained viral response on IFN-alpha and ribavirin non-responder patients with HCV. Triple therapy with amantadine should be evaluated in further studies.
AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of amantadine plus interferon-alpha and ribavirin in non-responder patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Twenty-six non-responder patients received the regimen of IFN-alpha-2a at a dose of 6 million units three times a week, 1 000-1 200 mg of ribavirin daily, and 200 mg of amantadine daily in divided doses over 48 wk. After the end of treatment, at the 72nd wk, a sustained viral response rate was determined. RESULTS: An early (after 12 wk of therapy) response was seen in 34.6% (9/26) of patients. Response rate at the 24th wk was 42.3% (11/26). End of treatment response (ETR) was 53.8% (14/26). Sustained viral response (SVR) was 42.3% (11/26). There was a statistically significant difference between 0 and 12 wk (P = 0.04), 0 and 24 wk (P = 0.01), 0 and 48 wk (P = 0.00), and 0 and 72 wk (P = 0.001). No patient had severe adverse effects during the treatment. CONCLUSION: Combination regimen of interferon-alpha, ribavirin and amantadine can enhance sustained viral response on IFN-alpha and ribavirin non-responder patients with HCV. Triple therapy with amantadine should be evaluated in further studies.
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Authors: M J Alter; D Kruszon-Moran; O V Nainan; G M McQuillan; F Gao; L A Moyer; R A Kaslow; H S Margolis Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1999-08-19 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: S Brillanti; J Garson; M Foli; K Whitby; R Deaville; C Masci; M Miglioli; L Barbara Journal: Gastroenterology Date: 1994-09 Impact factor: 22.682
Authors: G L Davis; L A Balart; E R Schiff; K Lindsay; H C Bodenheimer; R P Perrillo; W Carey; I M Jacobson; J Payne; J L Dienstag Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1989-11-30 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: M P Manns; J G McHutchison; S C Gordon; V K Rustgi; M Shiffman; R Reindollar; Z D Goodman; K Koury; M Ling; J K Albrecht Journal: Lancet Date: 2001-09-22 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: J G McHutchison; S C Gordon; E R Schiff; M L Shiffman; W M Lee; V K Rustgi; Z D Goodman; M H Ling; S Cort; J K Albrecht Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1998-11-19 Impact factor: 91.245