ELIMINATION OF ANTIPYRINE AND ITS METABOLITES IN INTERFERON-TREATED HEPATITIS-C

1 To study the effect of interferon on hepatic drug metabolism in chro nic hepatitis C, we examined nine patients before and at the end of 6 months of interferon treatment. 2 Routine liver function was determine d together with the salivary clearance of antipyrine and the 48 h urin ary excretion of the main metabolites of antipyrine: 4-hydroxyantipyri ne 3-hydroxymethylantipyrine and norantipyrine before and after 6 mont hs of interferon treatment. 3 Liver pathology, routine liver function, and antipyrine metabolism remained unchanged after patients were trea ted for 6 months with interferon for a histologically advanced but cli nically compensated chronic hepatitis C. ,