Korean J Hepatol.  2006 Sep;12(3):444-448.

A Case of Bell's Palsy Associated with Peginterferon Alfa-2a and Ribavirin Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

• Lee MY
• Cho H
• Kim YM
• Lee JS

Abstract

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin combination therapy is the first line treatment for chronic HCV infection. There are four reports of Bell's palsy associated with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and ribavirin therapy. We report here a case of Bell's palsy that occurred in a patient with chronic HCV infection during combination PEG-IFN and ribavirin therapy. The patient was 49-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C for 2 years. The liver biopsy showed grade 1 and stage 1. Therapy with PEG-IFN (Pegasys) 180 microgram/week and ribavirin 1200 mg/day was initiated. After 3 weeks of treatment, the patient showed a loss of muscular tone on the left side of his face. A diagnosis of Bell's palsy was made, and the PEG-IFN and ribavirin therapy was stopped. Prednisolone 45 mg/d was given and then tapered for 8 weeks. His palsy improved over 6 weeks.

Keyword

Chronic hepatitis C; Pegylated interferon alfa-2a; Bell palsy; Complications

MeSH Terms

Adult
Antiviral Agents/*adverse effects
Bell Palsy/*etiology/immunology
Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications/*drug therapy/virology
Humans
Interferon Alfa-2a/*adverse effects/therapeutic use
Male
Middle Aged
Polyethylene Glycols/*adverse effects/therapeutic use
Ribavirin/administration & dosage/*adverse effects/therapeutic use
Treatment Outcome