Orally administered Kampo medicine, Juzen-taiho-to, ameliorates anemia during interferon plus ribavirin therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Interferon plus ribavirin (IFN/Rib) therapy is currently standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Hemolytic anemia, however, is a serious side effect of this treatment, requiring reductions in or complete withdrawal of ribavirin.

METHODS:

We retrospectively investigated the effect of the Kampo medicine Juzen-taiho-to (TJ-48), which contains bone marrow-stimulating compounds, on anemia in 67 patients with chronic hepatitis C, who received IFN/Rib therapy.

RESULTS:

The reduction in hemoglobin levels was significantly ameliorated in TJ-48-treated patients (P<0.05). Consequently, only 13% (4/32) of TJ-48-treated patients received altered doses of ribavirin, while the ribavirin dose had to be reduced or withdrawn in 43% (15/35) of patients in the absence of TJ-48 administration (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

These results indicate the possibility that oral administration of TJ-48 supports IFN/Rib therapy without necessitating ribavirin reduction or withdrawal.

• Authors: Yukihiko Sho, Kunio Fujisaki, Hironori Sakashita, Koichi Yamaguchi, Kenji Tahara, Osamu Kubozono, Akio Ido, Hirohito Tsubouchi
• Journal: Journal of gastroenterology (J Gastroenterol) Vol. 39 Issue 12 Pg. 1202-4 (Dec 2004) ISSN: 0944-1174 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 15622486 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• juzentaihoto
• Ribavirin
• Interferons

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Anemia, Hemolytic (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferons (adverse effects)
• Male
• Medicine, Kampo
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Ribavirin (adverse effects)