The invention relates to the use of at least one cytokine from the IL-6 family-gp130, preferably selected from among IL-11, the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), oncostatin M (OSM), cardiotrophin-1, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), the cardiotrophin-like cytokine (CLC) and combinations thereof or a DNA sequence encoding same, in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition which is intended for combined administration with at least one IFN-α or a DNA sequence encoding same, for use in the treatment of viral diseases. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable quantity of at least one cytokin from the IL-6 family-gp130 or a DNA sequence encoding same and a pharmaceutically-acceptable quantity of at least one IFN-α or a DNA sequence encoding same, a pharmaceutical kit and a method for the treatment of viral diseases with the combined administration of the aforementioned cytokines and IFN-α.