Helping your family member through hepatitis C treatment is an important — and challenging — job. In fact, it's several jobs rolled into one, and you may find yourself filling the position of a coach, cheerleader, counselor, and support team nurse at various times throughout treatment.
While on treatment, your friend or loved one may need the help of a caregiver. Most often, a caregiver is someone in the family or a friend who is trusted and is willing to take the extra step to understand a patient's condition and help him or her to cope with therapy.
Help with Side Effects:
Side effects are "extra" physical reactions that most medicines cause while they fight a disease. Usually, they're unwanted or uncomfortable effects on the body or emotions. One medicine can cause different reactions in different people. Certain side effects happen more often when patients begin their course of therapy, as well as after an injection. Usually, side effects can be managed and you or your caregiver should consult a health care professional about managing side effects. Please refer to the Medication Guide for more details.
Completing Treatment:
Some people with hepatitis C find treatment difficult and may consider giving up. A person with chronic hepatitis C cannot get rid of the virus without treatment. You and your caregiver need to work together to complete treatment and never discontinue therapy abruptly without first discussing with your doctor.
The Be In Charge® Web site offers a special support section for caregivers. Direct your family members or caregivers to learn what you can expect from the disease and its treatment, review the hepatitis C basics, and learn how to protect yourself from infection.
IMPORTANT: Please understand that we cannot provide medical advice or respond to any questions related to your friend's specific medical situation. If you have a specific question regarding personal health and PEGINTRON® (Peginterferon alfa-2b) Powder for Injection, or have a question regarding a PEGINTRON® prescription, please urge your friend to consult his or her health care professional.
