Treatment FAQ

what are the treatment options for hepatitis c

by Bill Miller Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Hepatitis C is treated using direct-acting antiviral (DAA) tablets. DAA tablets are the safest and most effective medicines for treating hepatitis C. They're highly effective at clearing the infection in more than 90% of people. The tablets are taken for 8 to 12 weeks.

Medication

Oct 09, 2019 · Treatment for hepatitis C is now done with all-oral medications. These pills, called antiviral medications, are usually taken once per day. The provider treating your hepatitis C may recommend one or a combination of two to three medications to be taken for about 12 weeks.

Procedures

Mar 12, 2022 · Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent hepatitis C. Once a person is infected, the only way to treat it is with prescribed antiviral medications. Some patients worry that having hepatitis C means they will need a liver transplant. Only a very small fraction of people with hepatitis C require a liver transplant.

Self-care

11 rows · Jan 09, 2017 · The available drugs for interferon-free antiviral treatment of hepatitis C include inhibitors ...

Nutrition

Daclatasvir (Daklinza): Approval of this drug meant no more shots for the 1 in 10 people infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) types 1 and 3. You take this pill once a day with sofosbuvir...

What is the best cure for hepatitis C?

There are six different genotypes, and your doctor will recommend a combination of two or more antiviral drugs depending on which type you have. Genotype 1 is the most common form of hepatitis C in the United States, and patients are often treated with a combination of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir or other regimens.

What is the most common treatment for hepatitis C?

What should someone do after treatment for hepatitis C?

What kind of doctor should you see for hepatitis C treatment?

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What is the best treatment for hepatitis C?

Liver transplantation. If you have developed serious complications from chronic hepatitis C infection, liver transplantation may be an option. During liver transplantation , the surgeon removes your damaged liver and replaces it with a healthy liver.

What to do if you have hepatitis C?

If you receive a diagnosis of hepatitis C, your doctor will likely recommend certain lifestyle changes. These measures will help keep you healthy longer and protect the health of others as well:

How old do you have to be to get tested for hepatitis C?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults ages 18 to 79 years be screened for hepatitis C, even those without symptoms or known liver disease. Screening for HCV is especially important if you're at high risk of exposure, including: Anyone who has ever injected or inhaled illicit drugs.

How long does it take for hepatitis C to clear?

The goal of treatment is to have no hepatitis C virus detected in your body at least 12 weeks after you complete treatment.

How to prevent liver damage?

Avoid medications that may cause liver damage. Review your medications with your doctor, including over-the-counter medications you take as well as herbal preparations and dietary supplements. Your doctor may recommend avoiding certain medications. Help prevent others from coming in contact with your blood.

How long does it take to cure hepatitis C?

As a result, people experience better outcomes, fewer side effects and shorter treatment times — some as short as eight weeks.

How to prepare for a liver appointment?

Because appointments can be brief and because there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea to be well prepared. To prepare, try to: Review your medical record. This is particularly important if you are seeing a liver specialist (hepatologist) for the first time after finding out you have hepatitis C.

What are the side effects of hep C?

Glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (Mavyret): Three pills daily can treat all types of hep C. Side effects are mild and can include headache, fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea.

What is the best pill for HCV?

Elbasvir and grazoprevir (Zepatier): This once-a-day pill treats HCV types 1 and 4. It may also offer new hope for people with hep C who also have cirrhosis, HIV, late-stage kidney disease, and other hard-to-treat conditions. Like the other antivirals, the side effects are mild.

Is Ledipasvir a hep C pill?

Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (Harvoni): This once-a-day pill launched a revolution in hep C treatment. It was the first interferon-free med for people with type 1. A year later, the FDA also gave the thumbs up for people with HCV types 4, 5, and 6 to use it. Side effects are mild.

Is research moving on hep C?

Research is moving rapidly on treatments for hep C. As a result, what doctors will recommend for each case may change. Researchers may continue to come up with new treatments, and some of the combinations of medications below may change as they make new discoveries.

Does dasabuvir help with HCV?

Ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, with dasabuvir (Viekira Pak): Doctors say this treatment works well for people with HCV type 1.

Is there a one size fits all treatment for hepatitis C?

There's no one-size-fits-all option. There are many different types, or "genotypes," of hepatitis C. Type 1 is the most common. This is important to understand when you talk to your doctor. Not all meds work on all types. Which medicine is best for you also depends on how much liver scarring (cirrhosis) you have.

Can Simeprevir and Sofosbuvir be given together?

This medicine might cause severe liver damage in people with advanced cirrhosis. Simeprevir (Olysio)and sofosbuvir (Sovaldi): The FDA said these two drugs could be given together to treat people with HCV type 1.

Hepatitis C Treatment: Lifestyle Changes and Vaccines

There are also lifestyle changes you should make if you are diagnosed. If you are diagnosed with hepatitis C, you should:

Hepatitis C Treatment: Prevention

In the past, blood transfusions were a major cause of hepatitis C transmission. Now, blood donors are routinely screened for hepatitis C, and the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis is significantly lower. Helping injection drug users modify their behavior has also reduced the prevalence of the disease.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Although no vaccine for hepatitis C is available. Medicines can cure most cases of hepatitis C. A combination of antiviral medications are prescribed depending on the genotype of the virus, viral load and presence of any liver damage.
Medication

Antivirals: Drugs which are used for treating viral infections and hepatitis C virus.

Interferon . Ribavirin . Sofosbuvir . Simeprevir . Daclatasvir


Vaccine: There is no vaccination for hepatitis C. Vaccination for hepatitis A and B will be recommended to avoid any further complications caused by these viruses.

Hepatitis A vaccine . Hepatitis B vaccine

Procedures

Liver transplantation: In chronic hepatitis C infection with severe complications, liver transplantation will be recommended. In liver transplantation, the damaged liver is replaced with a healthy liver.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

Avoid smoking and alcohol.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Eat lot of fruits and vegetables
  • Eat whole-grain breads, cereals, and grain
  • Meats, fish, dried beans, soy, nuts, and eggs
  • Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt etc.

Foods to avoid:

  • Avoid fatty, salty and sugary foods
  • Avoid dietary supplements

Specialist to consult

Hepatologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to liver, the biliary tree, the gallbladder and the pancreas.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Preparing For Your Appointment

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