Published in:
01-04-2007 | Original Article
Modafinil’s Use in Combating Interferon-Induced Fatigue
Authors:
Kari A. Martin, Lois E. Krahn, Vijayan Balan, Marianne J. Rosati
Published in:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|
Issue 4/2007
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Abstract
Interferon (IFN) is an effective agent in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis C. A variety of adverse neuropsychiatric effects including anxiety, depression, delirium, psychoses, and mania complicates its usage. IFN-α-induced depression is presumed to be composed of two overlapping syndromes: a depression-specific syndrome characterized by depressed mood, anxiety, and cognitive complaints, and a neurovegetative syndrome consisting of fatigue, anorexia, somatic pain complaints, and psychomotor retardation [
1]. Our results show that depression-specific symptoms peak at 12 weeks of IFN therapy and respond well to serotoninergic antidepressants [
2]. We conclude that neurovegetative symptoms are relatively treatment refractory to antidepressants, occur early in the course of treatment, and tend to persist for the duration of therapy [
1].