Oral Thymic Extract for Chronic Hepatitis C in Patients Previously Treated with Interferon

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

15 November 1998 | Volume 129 Issue 10 | Pages 797-800

Background: Hepatitis C is an important cause of chronic liver disease. It is claimed that Complete Thymic Formula, an over-the-counter herbal dietary supplement, is beneficial for patients with hepatitis C.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Complete Thymic Formula.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Patients: 38 patients with hepatitis C who did not respond to or were intolerant of interferon therapy.

Intervention: Complete Thymic Formula for 3 to 6 months or placebo for 3 months.

Measurements: Serial measurements of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA titers.

Results: No differences were noted at 3 months between the placebo group (n = 13) and the treatment group (n = 19) in mean HCV RNA titers (4.06 ± 1.52 x 10⁶ copies/mL compared with 3.48 ± 1.92 x 10⁶ copies/mL; P > 0.2). The 19 patients who completed 6 months of treatment with Complete Thymic Formula remained positive for HCV, and their mean HCV RNA titers were similar at 6 months and at baseline (2.78 ± 1.96 x 10⁶ copies/mL compared with 3.12 ± 1.94 x 10⁶ copies/mL; P > 0.2).

Conclusions: Complete Thymic Formula did not benefit patients who had previously received interferon therapy. Patients should be advised about use of this over-the-counter compound.

Author and Article Information

From the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
Acknowledgment: The authors thank Preventive Therapeutics, Inc., for providing Complete Thymic Formula and placebo.
Grant Support: By the University of Alabama at Birmingham Liver Center, Birmingham, Alabama.
Requests for Reprints: Gary A. Abrams, MD, University of Alabama at Birmingham Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 401 Zeigler Research Building, 703 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL 35294-0007.
Current Author Addresses: Drs. Abrams and Fallon: University of Alabama at Birmingham Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 401 Zeigler Research Building, 703 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL 35294.