Hepatitis C Treatment

Hepatitis C is diagnosed through the use of blood tests or in cases of suspected chronic infection, a liver biopsy may be suggested (National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 2012). Treatment of Hepatitis C is typically done with medications. The two main choices is a weekly injection of pegylated interferon alfa or a Ribavirin capsule that is taken twice a day. Most treatments range from 24-48 weeks (National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 2012). For those who have been previously untreated, the optimal approach is a combined use of the two treatments. This combined approach has produced a success rate of 28%-50% of complete remission but it is associated with more side effects of the treatment. Side effects can include flu-like symptoms, depression, nausea, shortness of breath, cough, rash, itching, loss of appetite, insomnia or hair thinning.

Other side effects are specific to the type of drugs used:

Aside from these two choices, Health Canada has recently approved the use of boceprevir or telaprevir to be taken in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. These drugs have shown an increase in cure rates in their clinical trials and patients may see a reduced treatment duration (Canadian Liver Foundation, 2012). While there has been some interest in herbal remedies, no alternative therapies have been proven to be an effective and safe treatment (Canadian Liver Foundation, 2012). A recent study showed that the use of the botanical product silymarin, which is an extract of milk thistle, is no more effective than a placebo in chronic cases (RedOrbit, 2012). A liver transplant could also be a possibility if a chronic infection leads to liver failure. If a transplant occurs, drug treatments are often continued after successful surgery (National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 2012).