There are many side effects, the most common being flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, chills, nausea, headache, and poor appetite. These symptoms occur in almost everybody after their first few injections. While the severity may decrease, they seldom disappear until the end of treatment. Other side effects include changes in blood counts and depression. This drug can cause birth defects and genetic changes in the egg and sperm, conception should be avoided during therapy.
Therapy requires close medical monitoring.
Also unclear in action, ribavirin is also thought to inhibit viral reproduction. This medication is often used in combination with interferon. A recent study conducted in the United States found that 40 percent of people taking combination therapy did not have active HCV six months after therapy. Ribavirin is a medication taken by mouth once a day. The most common side effect is anemia and should be used cautiously in those with risk factors for heart disease.