Citation

Fábregas BC, Moura AS, Marciano RC, Carmo RA, Teixeira AL. Braz. J. Infect. Dis. 2009; 13(5): 387-390.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Pegylated interferon-alpha combined with ribavirin is the current gold standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Illicit drug dependence is not a rare co-morbidity among chronic hepatitis C population, what can make antiviral treatment an outmost challenge. Despite high sustained virological response rate following antiviral treatment, serious psychiatric adverse reactions may occur, like depression and suicide attempt. We report a patient with recurrent depressive disorder, previous history of suicide attempt and illicit drug dependence. We discuss the singularities and challenges of managing this patient in order to complete the antiviral treatment.

Language: en

Keywords

Depression; Suicide attempt; Chronic hepatitis C; Drug addiction; Interferon-alpha