What should I know about Incivek before taking it?

Before taking Incivek (telaprevir), a medication for chronic hepatitis C infection that is prescribed along with two other drugs, you should know why you're taking it, how to take it and when to call a doctor about side effects. For example, Incivek can cause severe skin reactions.

You also should be aware that Incivek can cause serious, possibly fatal, birth defects. For that reason, if you're pregnant, you should not take the drug. If there's any chance you could be pregnant when you start treatment, take a pregnancy test first; use two forms of birth control while you're on the drug and for at least six months after you stop taking it. If you're a man and your sexual partner is pregnant, you should not take Incivek; men who take Incivek need to make sure that their sexual partners do not become pregnant.

Tell your doctor about every medication and supplement you take before you start treatment with Incivek. This medication can have serious interactions with certain other drugs, such as statins. Also, your doctor needs to know whether you have a low red blood cell count (anemia), liver problems other than hepatitis C, a hepatitis B infection, an immune condition such as HIV, a history of gout or any other medical condition. Tell your doctor if you plan to have surgery, including dental surgery. Finally, if you're breastfeeding, you'll need to stop in order to take Incivek.