Study on chronic hepatitis C treatment with interferon alpha, ribavirin and amantadine in naive patients.

INTERVENTION: One year treatment with interferon/ribavirin and amantadine or placebo. CONDITION: Hepatitis C ; Infections and Infestations ; Chronic viral hepatitis PRIMARY OUTCOME: Virological response at week 52 and 104. SECONDARY OUTCOME: No secondary outcome measures INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Anti‐HCV positivity; greater than 6 months 2. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and/or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation on at least once in the previous 6 months 3. Positive hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acide (HCV‐RNA) 4. Liver biopsy within one year before the start of therapy in non‐cirrhosis. In the case of known cirrhosis, liver biopsy is not necessary. 5. Intention to be treated and participate treatment 6. Obtained written informed consent