The CIRA-study is a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised, multicentre study in previously untreated patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C comparing double therapy, consisting of (PEG-)interferon alpha 2b ((PEG)Intron-A®) and ribavirin (Rebetol®), with triple therapy, consisting of (PEG-)interferon alpha 2b, ribavirin and amantadine, for 52 weeks. Follow-up is completed at week 104. 150 Subjects per treatment group will be included. Patients will be stratified before randomisation according to genotype (1 versus non-1). Viral load will not be a discriminating factor.