Treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with amantadine

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology Vol. 36; no. 11; pp. 759 - 763
• Main Authors: Yagura, M, Harada, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan 01.11.2001
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alanine Transaminase - blood; Alanine Transaminase - drug effects; Amantadine - adverse effects; Amantadine - therapeutic use; Antiviral Agents - adverse effects; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Cataract - chemically induced; Cognition Disorders - chemically induced; Constipation - chemically induced; Feeding and Eating Disorders - chemically induced; Female; Hepacivirus - drug effects; Hepatitis C, Chronic - blood; Hepatitis C, Chronic - drug therapy; Humans; Hypesthesia - chemically induced; Male; Middle Aged; Nausea - chemically induced; Prospective Studies; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders - chemically induced; Time Factors; Vision Disorders - chemically induced
• ISSN: 0944-1174; 1435-5922
• DOI: 10.1007/s005350170018

Amantadine was reported to decrease serum alanine aminotransferase and HCV RNA levels in chronic hepatitis C patients who had not respond to interferon, but further experience has produced mixed results. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of amantadine in a larger number of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Fifty-eight consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled in this open-label prospective study. The patients had either received no antiviral agents or interferon therapy had previously failed. In 85% of the patients, the time-relation between therapy and reduction of serum aminotransferase levels suggested a potential anti-inflammatory activity of the drug without an effect on viremia. Seven patients discontinued the therapy because of side effects, and overall, side effects were observed in 31% of patients. Amantadine monotherapy in chronic hepatitis C patients may be effective in terms of reducing biochemical markers, but this effect was not associated with loss of viremia.