Finding out about hep C will help you plan for the future. Our Hep C Action Newsletter Program can help guide you through testing and treatment.
What Are the Side Effects of Treatment?
Side effects are common with hep C treatment, and consideration of side effects must be part of your decision-making process. But you also must think about the long-term effects of untreated hep C, including possible liver failure. All of medicine is a comparison of risks and benefits. For a broader perspective, ask your doctor about how he or she makes decisions about hep C treatment. You can also use our www.hepcsource.com Treatment Decision Tool to explore some of the issues involved in your decision to start hep C treatment. You’ll also get a customized list of questions to take to your doctor.
The following are some of the most common, but often manageable, side effects associated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy:
- Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, and muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach, nausea/vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty in controlling blood sugar levels (which may lead to diabetes)
- Skin reactions (such as rash, dry or itchy skin, temporary hair loss, or redness and swelling at the site of injection)
- Temporary hair thinning
- Trouble sleeping
Possible serious side effects, which your doctor or nurse can talk to you about, include mental health problems such as depression, blood problems, infections, and problems with your lungs, eyes, immune system, and heart. Your healthcare team may treat these side effects, change the amount of medication you take, or stop treatment.
