Introduction to Side Effect Management

 Introduction
 
Alpha interferons, which are given as injections under the skin,

have been used since the late 1980s in the treatment of chronic

hepatitis C. Through the refinement of interferon and the addition

of oral ribavirin, long-term viral clearance has gone from about

5% to now approximately 50% in patients who have never before

received treatment.
 
Side effects of treatment, however, are common.  There are many

ways your health care provider can help you manage these side

effects.  A gentle modification of your behavior, lifestyle, or

routine medical therapy is often the first step.  Dose reduction

or adding additional medications typically is the second step. 

Dose reduction is typically only done when the side effects are

severe.  Since reducing your dose could also mean reducing your

chance of clearing the virus, your provider will carefully weigh

the risks and benefits of this approach.
 
The most common side effects from interferon therapy include: 

fatigue, headache, fever, nausea, weight loss, depression, and

skin rash.
 

 
If you’re experiencing an emergency call 911 or report to the

emergency care department
 

 
* Generic versions are usually less expensive than brand-name

products.  Brand names are provided as examples only, and their

inclusion does not indicate an endorsement by the Veterans Health

Administration or any other Government agency.  Also, if a

particular brand name is not mentioned, this does not mean or

imply that the product is unsatisfactory.