- For women of fertile age (with the exception of those not having heterosexual intercourses and of women with vasectomised partners) and for sexually active men (unless vasectomised), partners of sexually active women, to practice continuous effective contraception, adopting two effective contraceptive methods. Une of these methods must be a barrier contraception method (condom with spermicide, diaphragm or cervical cap). In this study oral contraceptive, considered as one of the two effective forms of contraception, may be used. These contraceptive methods must be used from the screening visit for the whole duration of study and for the 24 weeks following the latest dose of Ribavirin.