Manic psychosis induced by long term alpha-interferon treatment for hepatitis C

There is increasing evidence of psychiatric side-effects following long-term alpha-interferon treatment, but no previous reports of psychosis as a side-effect. There is little evidence to suggest the best treatment of interferonrelated psychiatric illness. A case of manic psychosis developing after longterm alpha-interferon treatment is reported in a woman with no previous psychiatric history. The patient did not respond to termination of alphainterferon therapy. She responded partially to olanzapine but completely recovered after sodium valproate was added, with no deleterious effects. Psychiatric side-effects, including psychosis, are appreciable problems of alpha-interferon. This is the first case report of psychosis developing after long-term treatment. It supports suggestions that the pathological mechanisms of the early and late side-effects are different. Sodium valproate proved to be a safe and effective treatment. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2000; 4:161-162).