Side effects
Last updated:30September2007
Interferon and ribavirin are strong drugs and they have potential side effects. Not everyone experiences side effects but it is rare to have none at all. You should expect to get at least a few of them, particularly at the beginning. The list below sets them out and rates them as common, less common and rare. Some of these symptoms you may already have as a result of your hepatitis C. If you already have them, the table below refers to the likelihood that they will get worse.
The list is really the same for interferon (pegylated or standard) with or without ribavirin, since it is interferon that is the main cause. The exception to this is anaemia, which is a side effect of ribavirin only. Because anaemia lowers the amount of oxygen carried around the body, particularly to the muscles, it tends to increase the fatigue that interferon causes.
Side effects that may require dose reduction or an end to treatment: |
| Severe anaemia (lowered levels of haemoglobin) | | rare |
| Severe neutropenia (lowered levels of neutrophils, which are part of the immune system) | | rare |
| Thrombocytopenia (lowered levels of platelets, which help blood to clot) | | rare |
| Diabetes | | rare |
Other side effects |
| Flu-like symptoms, including | | |
| Fatigue | | common |
| Headaches | | common |
| Fever (in the 48 hours following an interferon injection) | | less common |
| Shaking | | less common |
| Muscular and joint aches | | less common |
| Dizziness | | rare |
| | |
| Sight problems, including | | |
| Retinal problems | | rare |
| Blurred vision | | rare |
| | |
| Anaemia | | common |
| | |
| Thyroid disease | | rare |
| | |
| Digestion/stomach symptoms, including | | |
| Nausea | | less common |
| Decreased appetite | | less common |
| Diarrhoea | | rare |
| Vomiting | | rare |
| | | | |
| Mental symptoms, including | | |
| Depression | | common |
| Insomnia | | less common |
| Irritability/intolerance | | less common |
| Concentration difficulties | | rare |
| | |
| Respiratory symptoms, including | | |
| Coughing | | rare |
| Difficulty breathing | | rare |
| | |
| Skin problems, including | | |
| Hair loss | | common |
| Pruritis (itching) | | less common |
| Rash | | rare |
| Dry skin | | rare |
