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Patients treated with interferon alfa are frequently subject to mood disorders.¹ This report describes 2 cases of mania subsequent to withdrawal of treatment with interferon alfa observed during a prospective study of a cohort of 44 patients affected by chronic hepatitis B receiving long-term treatment. Both subjects had normal findings on personal and family histories for psychiatric disorders.

Report of Cases

Case 1

A 19-year-old student was treated with interferon alfa at a dosage of 10 mU intramuscularly 3 times a week. During the fifth week a progressive depressive syndrome developed; the following week treatment was discontinued. Three days after the last injection a marked change was observed in symptoms: the patient developed a moderate typical euphoric state. This condition regressed progressively over the following 3 weeks without any treatment. One month later treatment with interferon alfa was recommenced at a lower dosage (6 mU, 3 times a week). The subject remained euthymic.

Case 2

A 39-year-old . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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