Azathioprine for long-term maintenance of remission in chronic hepatitis C *
Azathioprine at a dose of 50mg/day was administered to 40 cases with chronic hepatitis Ｃ . Six cases (15％) showed sustained normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and 12 cases (40％) exhibited a near-normal level of ALT. Side effects were observed in 12 cases (30％), from whom gastrointestinal complaints were dominant, but easy recovery from symptoms occurred after cessation of the drug. One case with acute pancreatitis required admission for therapy. Decreases in the leukocyte and platelet counts were mild at this dose. The longest continuity of the drug administration was over 10 years in a 56-year-old female with no development of malignancy. Azathioprine seems to be effective for the remission of ALT in IFN-resistant chronic hepatitis C. (Accepted on June 21, 1997) Kawasaki Igakkaishi 23(2) 73-80, 1997
