Abstract
The magnitude and duration of the antiviral and clinical effect of α-interferon was measured in healthy volunteers. A single 3 million unit intramuscular dose of interferon was given either alone (controls) or after 72 h of concomitant medications. These medications included either aspirin (650 mg every 4 h), acetaminophen (650 mg every 4 h), or prednisone (40 mg per day). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assayed for resistance to vesicular stomatitis virus infection and induction of 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase activity as evidence of interferon's antiviral effect. Co-administration of acetaminophen increased both antiviral parameters by more than 70% (P < 0.05) and reduced symptoms after interferon dosing, compared to controls. Aspirin and prednisone did not demonstrate any significant differences from controls in antiviral effect. As a group, acetaminophen, aspirin, and prednisone reduced the clinical symptoms by 47% compared to controls (P = 0.03) after interferon dosing, although individual drug comparisons failed to reach statistical significance. Independent of treatment group, the changes in antiviral markers after interferon dosing correlated closely with each other (r = 0.72, P < 0.001), but neither correlated with symptoms or fever (r < 0.30, P > 0.05). Acetaminophen enhances the antiviral effects of a single intramuscular dose of α-interferon, considering the parameters measured in these healthy volunteers.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 121-131 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Antiviral Research |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1995 |
Keywords
- 2′,5′-Oligoadenylate synthetase
- Acetaminophen
- Aspirin
- Drug interaction
- Prednisone
- Vesicular stomatitis virus
- α-Interferon
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Virology