Prophylaxis of Psychiatric Symptoms During Anti-HCV Treatment
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2009-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The treatment of chronic hepatitis C with peginterferon and ribavirin is highly effective but
is hampered by peginterferon-induced psychopathology.
Prevention of peginterferon-induced psychopathology with selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRI's) (paroxetine) has been shown to be effective in patients treated with
interferon for malignant disease. The aim is to study the effects of prophylactic treatment
with escitalopram (another SSRI) on peginterferon-associated psychopathology in patients
treated with peginterferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C.