Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection primarily causes inflammation of the liver and can eventually lead to liver problems, which includes cancer. If you have HCV, you will need medication to treat it and avoid potential health complications. These drugs will diminish the symptoms of the virus and strengthen your immune system. Regardless if you feel symptoms of not, the medication is necessary to boost your immune system to fight the infection present.
HCV has different strands or genotypes. Type 1 is the most common in the United States. Based on the strand you have, the doctor will prescribe you the correct medication to treat it.
s
is a protein within your body that aids your immune system in fighting viruses. These drugs prevent HCV-related complications by targeting the immune system to give it a necessary boost. The most typically used s include:
- alfa-2b (Intron A)
- peg alfa-2a (Pegasys)
- peg alfa-2b (PegIntron, Sylatron)
The common side effects of this drug include:
- worsening hepatitis symptoms
- dry mouth
- anxiety
- headaches
- depression or mood changes
- weight loss
- excessive fatigue
Other more serious side effects can also occur:
- liver disease
- lung disease
- changes in vision
- autoimmune diseases
- reduced red blood count
- reduced white blood count
- high blood pressure
- inflammation of bowels
- allergic reactions
- reduced thyroid function
Newer Hep C Drugs on the Market
Many of the new hepatitis C treatments have just become available to the public and often result in the same side effects as the other drugs on the market. Common side effects include:
- fatigue
- headaches
- diarrhea
- nausea
The newer drugs on the market are:
Elbasvir/grazoprevir (Zepatier)
Used to treat genotypes 1 and 4. This drug stops the virus from replicating and prevents the virus from building up throughout the body.
Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ (Technivie)
Approved in 2015, this drug targets genotype 4. It must be taken with ribavirin. You cannot take this drug if you have cirrhosis.
Daclatasvir (Daklinza)
This new drug targets HCV genotype 3.
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