Alpha interferon and ribavirin impact on pregnancy

C. Popescu, M. Radulescu, G. A. Popescu, V. Arama

Abstract: Infection with hepatitis C virus is a real problem of public health in developing countries especially because of increased number of intravenous drug users. Although the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HCV is less than 5%, the absence of an efficient prophylaxis of vertical transmission of HCV makes this problem important. Therapeutic regimens for HCV infection contain alpha interferon and ribavirin even after the introduction of the first class of direct acting antivirals. Both, alpha interferon and ribavirin are contraindicated during pregnancy, but sometimes fetal exposure at these drugs is reported. Moreover, not only maternal exposure can be dangerous for the offspring but also paternal exposure, if the subject was treated during pregnancy or 6 months after treatment discontinuation. The present review analyzes the data regarding safety of alpha interferon and ribavirin during pregnancy.
Keywords: alpha-interferon, ribavirin, teratogenicity, pregnancy