Acute Pancreatitis Associated with Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b and Ribavirin Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

ABSTRACT

Acute pancreatitis is an uncommon side effect of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alpha-2b and ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy. In South Korea, There is a no report of acute pancreatitis associated PEG-IFN alpha-2b plus RBV combination therapy. Here, acute pancreatitis associated with PEG-IFN alpha-2b plus RBV treatment is described in two patients with chronic hepatitis C. We started on weekly subcutaneous injection of PEG-IFN alpha-2b plus daily RBV. During this therapy, acute pancreatitis occurred in these patients without other causes of acute pancreatitis. We thought that the cause of acute pancreatitis in these patients was PEG-IFN alpha-2b and RBV. We stopped the treatment of PEG-IFN alpha-2b and RBV, and patients were improved.