Alopecia Universalis- An Unpleasant Reality with Interferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin Treatment for Hepatitis C

Numerous cutaneous side effects of combination Pegylated interferon alfa-2b (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy have been reported. Although cases alopecia areata (AA) associated with PEG-IFN/RBV therapy have been reported in the literature, but alopecia universalis is uncommon entity. We have treated up till now around 3500 patients suffering from this disease with Pegylated Interferon-2b and ribavirin, as oral directly acting antivirals has been recently launched in India. Out of these 3500 patients, 1470 (42%) patients developed alopecia during various stages of treatment, some even after stopping of treatment. Five patients developed Alopecia Universalis (AU) while undergoing the treatment which makes prevalence rate of 14% in total of 3500 but if we calculate prevalence of Alopecia Universalis in patients who developed alopecia on treatment, it increases to 34%. Now the good thing is that we have already entered the phase of Interferon free treatment in India, thus patients will get rid of these frustrating side effects like AA and AU which undermines the importance of successful treatment after achievement of sustained virological response..