liver and gallbladder disorders
Hepatitis C, Chronic
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C
Antiviral drugs Chronic hepatitis C is treated with antiviral drugs called direct-acting antiviral drugs. Usually, several drugs are used together. Chronic hepatitis C should be treated unless the person has another disorder that does not respond to treatment and that shortens life expectancy. Treatment varies based on the genotype of hepatitis C virus causing the infection, degree of damage to the liver, and prior treatment for hepatitis C. Many direct-acting antiviral drugs are available to treat hepatitis C. These drugs are highly effective and have minimal side effects because they target the virus directly. They includesofosbuvir, elbasvir, grazoprevir, velpatasvir, glecaprevir, ledipasvir, voxilepravir, and pibrentasvir (all taken by mouth). Treatment can last from 8 to 24 weeks. Treating hepatitis C can eliminate the virus from the body and thus stop inflammation and prevent scarring, reducing the risk of developing cirrhosis. Ribavirinis sometimes added to the treatment regimen to boost the effectiveness of the antiviral drugs. However,ribavirincan cause birth defects. Both men and women who have to take these drugs should use birth control during treatment and for 6 months after treatment ends. If chronic hepatitis C infection has severely damaged the liver, liver transplantation may be done. After liver transplantation, people with hepatitis C are often treated with antiviral drugs, which improve their chance of being cured. After treatment is completed, doctors do blood tests to determine how much of the virus's genetic material is present. If none is detected 12 weeks after treatment is completed, people are probably cured. 