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Seizures during pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy for chronic Hepatitis C: observations from the WIN-R trial
Furqaan Ahmed1, Ira M Jacobson, Jorge L Herrera
1Division of Gastroenterology, Aga Khan university, Karachi, Pakistan.
Background:
Seizures are reported as an uncommon side effect of interferon therapy.
Aim:
To determine the frequency and presentation of seizures occurring during pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFNα) and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C.
Methods:
Patients were identified using data from the WIN-R trial database, a US multicenter study comparing fixed (800 mg) versus weight-based (800 to 1400 mg) daily dosing of ribavirin in combination with PEG-IFNα-2b (1.5 μg/kg/wk).
Results:
Of the 4913 enrolled patients, 8 (0.16%) had a seizure. Three patients had a grand mal seizure and the seizure type was unknown in 5 patients. At the time of seizure, 6 patients were taking antidepressants (including 3 on bupropion), 1 was hyponatremic, and 1 had consumed a significant amount of alcohol. One patient had a history of seizures. Neuroimaging and electroencephalographic studies were negative. Antiepileptic medications were continued in the patient with a history of seizures and initiated in 1 patient. PEG-IFNα-2b plus ribavirin therapy was continued in 2 patients following seizure and neither experienced a recurrent seizure.
Conclusions:
Seizures occur infrequently in patients receiving PEG-IFNα-2b plus ribavirin, and appear to be associated with other risk factors including antidepressant use.
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