Adverse Effects of High-Dose Interferon-α-2a Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B Elif Doyuk Kartal, MD, Assist Prof Saygin Nayman Alpat, MD Ilhan Ozgunes, MD, Prof Gaye Usluer, MD, Prof Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Bacteriology Eskisehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty Eskisehir, Turkey ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess morbidity and the incidence of adverse effects during interferon (IFN)-α-2a treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B. This prospective study included 48 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B who underwent IFN-α-2a treatment from January 2003 to August 2005. Adverse effects related to IFN treatment were recorded during this period and for 6 mo after treat- ment. Adverse effects that led to dose reduction or early discontinuation of IFN treatment were examined. Complete response was reported in 25% of patients. At least 1 adverse effect was documented in 88% of patients. Flu-like symptoms were the most frequently observed adverse effects (88%), and thrombocytopenia (63%), leukopenia (54%), and anemia (23%) were also reported. Bleeding occurred in 2 patients. Other adverse effects included neuropsychiatric signs (21%), alopecia (19%), weight loss (17%), thyroid disorders (19%), menstrual cycle irregularities (8%), skin lesions (8%), and dry cough (4%). Adverse effects that led to dose reduction or early discontinuation of IFN treatment occurred in 19% of patients and included impotence, depression, seizure, thyroid disorders, severe thrombocytopenia, and intestinal bleeding. These effects were found to be unrelated to treatment response. No relationship was detected between patient age, duration of treatment, and adverse effects of IFN. Although IFN-α-2a treat- ment induced various adverse effects in patients with chronic hepatitis B, most of these effects were reversible or could be ameliorated. Adverse effects that led to dose reduction or early discontinuation of IFN treatment were found to be unre- lated to complete response. Keywords: interferon-α-2a; chronic hepatitis B; adverse effects 963 Advances in Therapy ® Volume 24 No. 5 September/October 2007 Address correspondence to Dr. Elif Doyuk Kartal Buyukdere Mah Millet cad Tip Sitesi B Blok 14/8 Eskisehir/Turkey Email: edoyuk@ogu.edu.tr © 2007 Health Communications Inc Transmission and reproduction of this material in whole or part without prior written approval are prohibited. 1115