Depression during therapy with interferon α - How long should an antidepressant treatment last? A case report

Abstract Although depressive symptoms are well-known side effects of interferon alpha (IFNalpha), it is uncertain if these symptoms decline with the cessation of IFNalpha therapy. We report on a 47-year-old man who, apart from former drug abuse, never had suffered from a psychiatric disorder. However, he had a family history burdened with the suicide of his mother and his twin sister. After a depressive symptomatology during the IFNalpha therapy, which had been tolerably treated by mirtazapine, he committed a suicide attempt six months after the parallel termination of IFNalpha and antidepressant treatment. Two aspects of this case report should be emphasised. First, patients with an increased risk for psychiatric complications of interferon therapy must be followed closely for a depressive symptomatology and treated aggressively if symptoms arise. Second, this case report shows the relapse of depressive symptoms far beyond the end of the interferon treatment. If an antidepressant treatment is necessary during IFNalpha therapy this should not be stopped prematurely with the termination of the interferon medication.