Hepatitis C in a New Era: Treatment of Hepatitis C
05/01/2021
Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver, which leads to inflammation. The severity of the disease can be from a mild illness that could last a few weeks to a lifelong severe illness.
The infection is a lifelong condition for most people. But with the advancement in the medical field, Hepatitis C can now be cured entirely in most cases. According to a survey, there is a success rate of 90-100% with the help of the latest treatments, which keeps getting better if recognized at an early stage.
Let’s now have a look at the treatment options available for Hepatitis C.
Older Treatment Options
A few years ago, there were just two treatment options available for Hepatitis C;
● Ribavirin
● Pegylated interferon
These older interferon treatments last between 6 months and a year. The treatment is administered through injections and can often lead to different flu-like side effects. Also, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the success rate of these treatments was around 40-50%. But, with the latest medications and treatment options, it is pretty clear which option you need to choose.
Newer Treatment Options
The newer Hepatitis C brands and drugs that doctors now prescribe are -
● Polymerase inhibitors
● Protease inhibitors
● Direct-acting antivirals
The different medications work differently to block the HCV's biological process (Hepatitis C Virus) needs to thrive. The medical treatment depends on the stage and type of Hepatitis C that one is going through. As per the FDA, the three medicines mentioned above are approved to treat all six types of Hepatitis C.
● Sofosbuvir / velpatasvir
● Glecaprevir / pibrentasvir
● Sofosbuvir / velpatasvir / voxilapresvir
There are certain other approved medications for particular types of Hepatitis C, such as:
● Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (for genotypes 1, 4, 5, 6)
● Elbasvir/grazoprevir (for genotype 1, 4)
● Sofosbuvir (for genotype 1, 2, 3, 4)
All these newer treatment options are better than the old ones as they are easier to take and have fewer side effects. The latest medicines are taken by mouth as these are simple pills. The treatment only lasts between 2 to 6 months, and the success rate is higher. Apart from the medications, some natural remedies and herbal therapies are also suggested by doctors.
The medications should always be discussed with your doctor. You should be open to your doctor regarding the past treatments or any other medical conditions you might have, as there may be some serious complications or drug interactions. Based on all the factors, your doctor will decide the treatment option and medicine dosage.
So, talking about the current scenario, Hepatitis C is curable with the help of proper active treatment. Consult with the doctor for the most effective treatment option available for your condition. Do not forget to discuss the side effects that you might face with the use of medicines. If prescribed, you can buy generic Hepatitis C drugs at a reasonable price online.
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