An unusual adverse effect of interferon: hypertrichosis of the eyelashes

J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2000 Jul;20(7):633-4. doi: 10.1089/107999000414808.

Abstract

Hypertrichosis of the eyelashes is a rare adverse effect of interferon-alpha treatment. We present a 21-year-old man with chronic renal failure and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who developed hypertrichosis of the eyelashes as a complication of IFN-alpha therapy. The patient was a candidate for living related renal transplantation and was given IFN-alpha 15 million units per week for HBV DNA positivity. After 6 months of therapy, HBV DNA positivity persisted, and the dose of IFN was increased to 30 million units per week. At the end of the first half of the second 6 months of therapy, the patient suffered from bilateral hypertrichosis of the eyelashes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypertrichosis / chemically induced*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Male
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins