Hepatitis C Medicine

Hepatitis C medicines are a group of antiviral drugs used to treat Hepatitis C, a viral infection that attacks the liver. These medications aim to eliminate the virus from the body, prevent liver damage, and reduce the risk of complications like cirrhosis or liver cancer. The treatment primarily involves direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), which target specific stages of the virus’s life cycle, stopping its replication.

Over the past decade, there has been significant progress in Hepatitis C treatment, with DAAs offering high cure rates (often above 95%) with shorter treatment durations, typically ranging from 8 to 12 weeks. These medicines are generally well-tolerated, with fewer side effects compared to older treatments like interferon and ribavirin, which were more cumbersome and had harsher side effects.

Common medications in this category include sofosbuvir, ledipasvir, velpatasvir, and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, often combined in fixed-dose formulations for better efficacy. Hepatitis C treatment regimens are tailored based on factors like the specific strain (genotype) of the virus, liver condition, and whether the person is new to treatment or has been previously treated.

Ultimately, Hepatitis C medicines play a vital role in managing the infection, with the potential to cure the disease and significantly improve the quality of life for those affected.