L-Carnitine Supplementation During Hepatitis C Virus Treatment with Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir Plus Ribavirin: Effect on Anemia: A Pilot Study | ||||
| The Medical Journal of Cairo University | ||||
| Article 147, Volume 87, June, June 2019, Page 2637-2642 PDF (487.92 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mjcu.2019.54882 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
| LOBNA ABO ALI, M.D.; SAMAH ELSHWEIKH, M.D.; SHIMAA SAIED, M.D. | ||||
| The Departments of Tropical Medicine*, Internal Medicine** and Public Health & Community Medicine***, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Abstract Background: In the direct acting antiviral era, the role of ribavirin (RBV) in the treatment of hepatitis c virus (HCV) remains crucial, especially in patients with liver cirrhosis and treatment experienced patients. L-carnitine was reported to improve anemia in patients with HCV treated with interferon alone or with ribavirin. Aim of Study: To evaluate the effect of L-carnitine on improving ribavirin induced hemolytic anemia in patients with HCV treated with sofosbuvir/daclatasvir plus ribavirin (SOF/DCV/ RBV). Patients and Methods: Naive patients with HCV related liver cirrhosis and treatment experienced patients who received prior interferon therapy were randomized to receive either SOF/DCV/RBV plus L-carnitine (n=49) or SOF/DCV/RBV (n=49) for 12 weeks as a control group. Changes in hemoglobin concentration, reduction of ribavirin dose and its effect on sustained virological response (SVR) were evaluated. Results: After 4 and 12 weeks of treatment, the hemoglobin concentration was significantly higher in the L-carnitine group than in the control group (p<0.001). RBV dose was reduced in 10.2% of patients in the L-carnitine group versus 22.5% in the control group. The adherence of patients to their ribavirin dose was higher in patients treated with L-carnitine than patients in the control group (89.8% vs. 77.5%). SVR12 rate in the L-carnitine group was higher than that in the control group (93.9%% vs. 87.8%). Conclusion: L-carnitine is effective in improving hemo-lytic anemia induced by ribavirin in patients treated for hepatitis C virus and increase patient's adherence to treatment that guarantees the best opportunity to achieve an SVR. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Hepatitis C virus – L-carnitine – Ribavirin | ||||
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