Contents:
- Medical Video: Hepatitis A and B | Nucleus Health
- What hepatitis medicines are available at the doctor?
- 1. Interferon
- 2. Antiviral protease inhibitor drugs
- 3. Anti-nucleoside analog antiviral drugs
- 3. Polymerase inhibitors and drug combination therapy
- List of alternative hepatitis drugs
- Milk thistle
Medical Video: Hepatitis A and B | Nucleus Health
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an infectious disease that causes inflammation of the liver. Most HCV patients suffer from chronic cases.It is estimated that about 85% of people infected with HCV have other chronic diseases. Resting and maintaining adequate fluid intake is effective for relieving symptoms, but these methods are more recommended for the treatment of acute viral hepatitis. Medication therapy is prescribed by doctors only for chronic hepatitis. The following is more information about various hepatitis drugs.
What hepatitis medicines are available at the doctor?
In addition to resting and increasing fluid intake, doctors recommend that patients with chronic hepatitis infection use drugs or a combination of hepatitis drugs. This is done to relieve symptoms, while also preventing more severe liver disease (such as cirrhosis or liver failure), and reducing the risk of liver cancer.
Hepatitis drugs commonly prescribed by doctors, including:
1. Interferon
Interferon is a protein that is usually found in the body to fight infection and especially to help the immune system fight HCV to prevent complications. This medicine consists of:
- Injection of peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys)
- Injection of peginterferon alfa-2b (PegIntron, Sylatron)
- Interferon alfa-2b injection (Intron A)
These drugs are used in combination with antiviral drugs. Notthere are generic versions of these drugs on the market. Peginterferon consists ofinterferon combined with other components that make the drug survivelonger in the body and also helps reduce side effects.
There are several common side effects, including:
- Worry
- dry mouth
- Excessive fatigue
- Headache
- Mood changes
- Weight loss
- Symptoms of hepatitis that get worse
2. Antiviral protease inhibitor drugs
Protease inhibitors are oral drugs that work by preventing the spread of infection. This drug stops reproduction of viruses in the body, including:
- Telaprevir (Incivek)
- Boceprevir (Victrelis)
- Paritaprevir. This is a protease inhibitor but onlyfound in Viekira Pak, as part of the combination used fortreat HCV infection.
These drugs are only used in combination with other HCV infections. Telaprevir is taken twice a day, while boceprevir is taken three times a day. Both of these drugs must be used with food.
The most common side effects of this hepatitis drug are anemia, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
3. Anti-nucleoside analog antiviral drugs
Nucleoside analog antiviral drugs also prevent the spread of infection by stopping nucleoside formation in infected cells. Ribavirin (Copegus, Moderiba, Rebetol, Ribasphere, Ribasphere RibaPak, Virazole) is the only drug used to treat HCV infection in this class. Ribavirin requires a combination with interferon to treat HCV infection. In addition, triple therapy can be prescribed with interferon and protease inhibitors. This drug cannot be used independently.
Be careful when using Ribavirin if you have a history of heart disease or pregnancy. This drug can cause a risk of birth defects and also cause dwarf growth in pediatric patients. This risk can be transferred from men to their female partners during conception.
3. Polymerase inhibitors and drug combination therapy
Polymerase inhibitors prevent the formation of hepatitis C virus blocks. These hepatitis drugs include the polymerase inhibitor sovaldi (Sofosbuvir). Sovaldi works by inhibiting the RNA polymerase used by the hepatitis C virus to replicate its RNA. This drug is sometimes used in combination with ribavirin for up to 24 weeks. In addition, this drug is also used for people who suffer from hepatitis C virus infection and HIV infection.
The combined drug Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir (Harvoni) is used to treat chronic infections from HCV genotype 1 in adults. Ledipasvir is an NS5A inhibitor that blocks the formation of proteins that help self-replicating viruses. Sofosbuvir is a polymerase inhibitor that prevents the formation of virus blocks.
This medicine must be used with food and should not be destroyed.Common side effects include nausea, itching, insomnia, and weakness.
Not only prescription drugs, hepatitis symptoms can also be managed with the use of alternative medicines.
List of alternative hepatitis drugs
Alternative medicine is often used as the first choice for the treatment of various types of diseases, including hepatitis infection. However, consult a doctor if you want to use herbal medicine to replace your medication. Remember that not all herbal medicines are safe for every condition.
1. Licorice root
Licorice root, or sweet root, is commonly found in Asia and the Middle East. This herb is sometimes used as a home solution for infections, boils, and bronchitis. Licorice root is available in capsules, dry powder, liquid extracts, and tablets. In addition, these herbs can cause side effects, such as low blood pressure and fluid retention.
Milk thistle
Milk thistle is commonly found in the Mediterranean region. Historically, this herbal medicine was used for cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, high cholesterol, and liver disease. This herb is mainly available in many forms, including capsules and extracts. Even though milk thistle is sometimes used as an alternative hepatitis drug, consult your doctor before considering consuming it.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
