A Review of Adverse Cutaneous Drug Reactions Resulting from the Use of Interferon and Ribavirin
January 2009
in “
Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology
”
TLDR Interferon and ribavirin can cause serious skin reactions and other health issues.
The review discussed adverse cutaneous drug reactions associated with interferon and ribavirin, used for chronic hepatitis C treatment. It highlighted various skin-related side effects, including eczema-like lesions, cutaneous necrosis, psoriasis exacerbation, alopecia areata, and vitiligo, as well as severe reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. Additionally, it reported conditions such as lichen aureus, Grover’s disease, pyoderma gangrenosum, and others, underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary assessment and monitoring for dermatologic side effects during therapy.