High initial dose combination regimen with interferon-alpha and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: Combination of interferon-alpha and ribavirin becomes the antiviral therapy of choice for chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this trial was to assess the efficacy of two combination treatment strategies: standard regimen Interferon-alpha 3 MU three times per week (group A) and initial high dose Interferon 6 MU daily for 2 weeks followed by intermittent administration 3 MU three times per week (group B), plus Ribavirin in naive and relapsed patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methodology: Twenty-four patients (group A, 6; group B, 18) received medication for median 6 months (range, 5-12) and followed for 6 months.