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.
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