Completion of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Treatment in Interferon-Induced Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features

Interferon (IFN)-associated psychiatric disorders can be managed without interruption to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. The limited number of cases in the literature reporting psychotic depression as an adverse drug reaction to IFN resulted in discontinuation of HCV therapy. The author reports a case of a 49 year-old man with chronic HCV genotype 1a treated with pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin developing major depressive disorder with psychotic features. The patient was successfully treated with both an antidepressant and antipsychotic for this suspected IFN-associated adverse drug effect while continuing 12 months of uninterrupted HCV treatment and subsequently achieving sustained hepatitis C virological response. Although IFN can cause distressing psychiatric disturbances, appropriate treatment with psychotropic agents and careful monitoring allows patients to be maintained on a full course of HCV treatment.