United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
National Hepatitis C Program
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Sex & Sexuality

Do you need to use birth control methods when you are on combination treatment (ribavirin and interferon)?

Yes! Ribavirin can cause severe birth defects, and you or your partner should NOT get pregnant while you are taking it. If you are taking ribavirin to treat your hepatitis C, you must use two effective forms of birth control, one for you and one for your partner. For example: the man uses a condom, and the woman uses a diaphragm or birth control pill. You must continue this type of birth control for six months after your last dose of combination treatment.