METHODS	We randomly assigned 100 patients , between October 2002 and December 2004 , in two arms : IFN alpha-2b ( 5 MU on alternate days ) , ribavirin at a dose of 13 mg/kg daily and Viusid ( three sachets daily ) vs. IFN alpha-2b ( 5 MU on alternate days ) and ribavirin at a dose of 13 mg/kg daily .\