Manic psychosis induced by long term alpha-interferon treatment for hepatitis C

There is increasing evidence of psychiatric sine-effects following long-term alpha-interferon treatment, but no previous reports of psychosis as a side-effect. There is little evidence to suggest the best treatment of interferon-related psychiatric illness. A case of manic pyschosis developing after long-term alpha-interferon treatment is reported in a woman with no previous psychiatric history. The patient did not respond to termination of alpha-interferon therapy. She responded partially to olanzapine but completely recovered after sodium valproate was added, with no deleterious effects. Psychiatric sine-effects, including psychosis, are appreciable problems of alpha-interferon. This is the first case report of psychosis developing after long-term treatment. It supports suggestions that the pathological mechanisms of the early and late side-effects are different. Sodium valproate proved to be a safe and effective treatment.