for Veterans and the Public

Why is treatment for hepatitis C infection challenging?

Currently, combination therapy is the most effective treatment for hepatitis C. Combination therapy is when you take more than one medicine. Patients who are on combination therapy for hepatitis C take both ribavirin and interferon.

• Ribavirin comes in a pill that you swallow.
• Interferon is given as an injection (or shot).

Both interferon and ribavirin can cause side effects. In addition, since interferon is given as an injection, it may be uncomfortable for some people, especially people who are in recovery for injection drug use.