Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Articles by Cheng, Y.-C. Articles by Chiu, N.-Y. PubMed Citation Articles by Cheng, Y.-C. Articles by Chiu, N.-Y. Delirium Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Syndromes Secondary to General Medical Disorders

Prolonged Psychosis Associated With Interferon Therapy in a Patient With Hepatitis C: Case Study and Literature Review

Received March 26, 2008; revised May 12, 2008; accepted May 13, 2008. From the Dept. of Psychiatry, Chang-Hua Christian Hospital, Chang-Hua, Taiwan; and the Division of Gastroenterology, Dept. of Medicine, Cheng Hsin Rehabilitation Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Chun-Chih Chen, Dept. of Psychiatry, Chang-Hua Christian Hospital, No. 135, Nanhsiao St., Changhua, 500, Taiwan. e-mail: doraemon520_2000{at}yahoo.com.tw
© 2009 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

BACKGROUND: Although rare, psychosis can emerge during interferon (IFN)-alpha therapy and persist after therapy is completed. OBJECTIVE: The authors report the case of a 30-year-old man with hepatitis C infection treated with IFN-alpha and ribavirin who developed acute psychosis with persecutory delusions and auditory hallucinations, resulting in a suicide attempt.METHOD: The patient was treated with amisulpride for 6 weeks and then with risperidone for 6 weeks. RESULTS: There was no improvement in symptoms until the patient was treated with quetiapine; he then had a marked recovery from the psychotic symptoms. The duration of the psychosis was 28 weeks. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis C can be successfully treated with IFN therapy, and the risk of IFN-induced psychosis is low, with psychotic symptoms resolving in most cases after completion of IFN therapy with or without antipsychotic treatment. In prolonged psychosis induced by IFN, quetiapine might also be of benefit.

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2009 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us