Treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with amantadine

Background Amantadine was reported to decrease serum alanine amino transferase 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. Methods. 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. Results. 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. Conclusions. 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.