Efficacy of Polyethylene Glycol-Interferon Alfa-2B (PEG-Intron, SCH 54031) Compared to Interferon Alfa-2B in Participants With Chronic Hepatitis C (MK-4031-016)

Exclusion Criteria

• •Be female who is currently pregnant or nursing.
• •Have prior treatment with any interferon.
• •Have suspected hypersensitivity to alpha interferon.
• •Have participated in any other clinical trial within 30 days of entry
• •Have received treatment with any investigational drug within 30 days of entry.
• •Have received prior treatment for hepatitis with any other antiviral or immunomodulatory drug within the previous 2 years.
• •Have any other cause for the liver disease other than chronic hepatitis C including but not limited to: co-infection with hepatitis B virus; Hemochromatosis; alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency; Wilson's disease; autoimmune hepatitis; alcoholic liver disease; obesity-induced liver disease; and drug-related liver disease.
• •Have hemophilia or any other condition that would prevent the participant from having a liver biopsy, including anticoagulant therapy.
• •Have hemoglobinopathies (e.g., Thalassemia)
• •Have evidence of advanced liver disease such as history or presence of ascites, bleeding varices, spontaneous encephalopathy.
• •Have received organ transplants.
• •Have a preexisting psychiatric condition, especially severe depression, or a history of severe psychiatric disorder, such as major psychoses, suicidal ideation and/or attempt.
• •Have central nervous system trauma or active seizure disorders requiring medication.
• •Have significant cardiovascular dysfunction within the past 6 months (e.g., angina, congestive heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, severe hypertension or significant arrhythmia).
• •Have poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.
• •Have chronic pulmonary disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
• •Have immunologically mediated disease (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease \[Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis\], rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, scleroderma, severe psoriasis, clinical cryoglobulinemia with vasculitis).
• •Have any medical condition requiring, or likely to require during the course of the study, chronic systemic administration of steroids.
• •Have history of substance abuse, such as alcohol, intravenous drugs and inhaled drugs.
• •Have clinically significant retinal abnormalities.
• •Be unable to abstain from the consumption of alcohol.
• •Have any other condition which in the opinion of the investigator would make the patient unsuitable for enrollment, or could interfere with the patient participating in and completing the protocol.