Interferon alpha - induced psychotic disorder in patient with chronic hepatitis B

Interferon has remained the mainstay for treating patients suffering from chronic viral hepatitis. However, its efficiency has been limited by the neuropsychiatric side effect profile that it carries; neurotransmitter alterations in the central nervous system [CNS] have been correlated to psychiatric complications of Interferon alpha. Although mood disorders such as depression occasionally develop during Interferon alpha therapy, psychotic disorders have been rarely reported. We present a case of Interferon alpha 2b induced psychotic symptoms in a young male with hepatitis B and review the relevant literature