Facial and bilateral lower extremity edema due to drug-drug interactions in a patient with hepatitis C virus infection and benign prostate hypertrophy: A case report

Background: New direct-acting antivirals (DAAs)-based anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies are highly effective in patients with HCV infection. However, safety data are lacking regarding HCV treatment with DAAs and drugs for comorbidities.

Case summary: Herein, we reported a case of HCV-infection in a 46-year-old man with benign prostatic hypertrophy. The patient received sofosbuvir/velpatasvir as well as methadone maintenance therapy for drug abuse. The viral load became negative at week 1 post treatment. He developed facial and bilateral lower extremity edema 48 h after starting receiving tamsulosin. Edema disappeared 10 d after treatment with oral furosemide and spironolactone.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this is the first case of an acute edema in the course of treatment with new DAAs, methadone and tamsulosin. These agents are useful in clinical management of patients with HCV infection, particularly in men with benign prostatic hypertrophy. Clinicians should be aware of potential drug-drug interactions in this subset of patients.

Keywords: Case report; Direct-acting antivirals; Drug-drug interactions; Hepatitis C virus; Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir.