for Veterans and the Public

You will have frequent lab tests while you are being treated with the medications.

These lab tests are done to make sure that the drugs are safe for you and also to find out if the treatment is working.

Your doctor will give you instructions.

Your VA doctor will give you instructions before you start treatment. It is important that you follow these instructions carefully, and that you understand the risks and side effects of the drugs.

Risk of birth defects

Ribavirin can cause serious birth defects, and you or your partner should not become pregnant while taking it. If you start taking ribavirin to treat your hepatitis C, you must use 2 effective forms of birth control, one for you and one for your partner. An example is a condom for the man, and a diaphragm or birth control pill for the woman. You must keep using this type of birth control during the whole time you are on combination treatment and for 6 months after your last dose.

The drugs boceprevir and telaprevir stop hormonal birth control from working, including:

• Birth control pills
• Vaginal rings
• Uterine implants
• Depo-Provera injections

If you start taking the drugs boceprevir and telaprevir to treat your hepatitis C, you must use 2 effective forms of "non-hormonal" birth control, one for you and one for your partner. For example: a barrier method (condoms or diaphragms) plus spermicidal jelly. You must keep using this type of birth control during the whole time you are on combination treatment and for 6 months after your last dose.