&gt; &quot;The most frequently reported adverse reactions were mostly mild to moderate in severity and were manageable without the need for modification of doses or discontinuation of therapy.&quot;<p>Having gone through two interferon treatments for HCV, one with the most current regimen of pegalated interferon and ribavirin, I can personally attest to this description being ridiculously inaccurate. The OP may exaggerate some, but the contrast with Harvoni is stark.<p>Headaches, flu-like symptoms, anemia, lethargy, and chemical depression, not to mention high stress on the liver you&#x27;re ultimately trying to cure, are just some of the lovely side effects of interferon-based treatment, which could last up to 72 weeks. Many people dropped out, many weren&#x27;t cured. Success rates depended on viral genotype; certainly for some people it was well below 50%. And don&#x27;t forget the two forms of birth control, since ribavirin  basically guarantees birth defects (as if you&#x27;d be in the mood).<p>Harvoni may be expensive, but it and the drugs related to it are unbelievably effective in doing something many thought impossible 10 years ago: curing HCV.<p>I cleared the virus on the clincal trials with no side effects. Unfortunately, it wasn&#x27;t soon enough to spare me from a liver transplant. Hopefully the new drugs will reach enough people in time to let them avoid severe liver disease. There aren&#x27;t enough donor livers to cure, and liver failure is a uniquely crappy way to die.