What to Expect During Treatment

Once your friend begins therapy for hepatitis C, he or she will most likely start to experience some physical side effects. Your friend will need the most support in this phase, since some side effects can be harsh. We've listed the most common symptoms below. Get tips on how you can help your friend deal with these side effects.

Flu-Like Symptoms: It is very common for hepatitis C patients in therapy to have mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, headaches, and muscle aches. Should these symptoms become severe, contact the doctor.

Fatigue: One of the most common problems with hepatitis C patients is feeling tired, weak, or having little energy. Fatigue can also take many other forms, including poor memory, getting upset more easily, difficulty concentrating, and no motivation.

Loss of Appetite: Patients on therapy may notice changes in their appetite. They might find that they're not hungry or that food tastes slightly different. Others have trouble eating because they feel sick to their stomach (nausea). Or they lose their desire for food because they're upset, worried, and afraid. Sometimes, food can be less appealing if they feel lonely or don't get enough exercise. Their difficulty with eating may lead to weight loss. Remember, while on therapy, it's more important than ever for patients to eat nutritious food.

Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea: Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also be side effects of therapy. Fortunately, these are some of the most treatable side effects. When your friend feels sick to his or her stomach, it's called nausea, and this can sometimes lead to vomiting. Nausea can be triggered by certain things like cooking odors, an empty stomach, or greasy foods. Morning nausea is also very common.

If your friend is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, it is easy for them to become dehydrated. To prevent this, encourage them to sip liquids after vomiting or drink plenty of liquids if they have diarrhea. Also, for diarrhea, have your friend avoid high-fiber foods and dairy products until the diarrhea goes away. Be sure to call your friend's doctor if the vomiting or diarrhea gets worse.

Thinning Hair (Alopecia)/Skin Reactions: While alopecia may increase during the course of treatment, it is usually only temporary. Skin reactions may also occur during therapy with interferon. These reactions are normally mild to moderate, but therapy may worsen preexisting cases of eczema or psoriasis.

Injection site reactions are especially common for patients who are taking PEG-INTRON® (Peginterferon alfa-2b) Powder for Injection. Encourage your friend to ask his or her health care provider for more information about managing any skin reactions.

Thyroid Problems: In addition to those common side effects previously discussed, patients on PEG-INTRON® and PEG-INTRON/REBETOL® (Ribavirin, USP) Capsules combination therapy may experience thyroid and blood sugar problems. You should be on the lookout for any symptoms, so you can remind your friend to discuss them with his or her doctor.

Some patients develop changes in the function of their thyroid. Symptoms of thyroid changes include the inability to concentrate, feeling cold or hot all of the time, and a change in weight or changes to the skin.

Blood Sugar Problems: Some patients develop problems with the way their body controls their blood sugar and may develop high blood sugar or diabetes.

Please refer to the "Facts" section of the Patient Therapy Management Binder for a more detailed summary of each therapy's possible side effects.

Effective hepatitis C treatment means a taking a disciplined approach to improving your condition. Receive regular e-mail reminders that will notify you when to perform certain treatment-related activities, such as when it's time to administer medication, meet with your health care provider or refill your prescription.