Hep C
Patient Education

Medications and Treatments for Hep C - Patient Education

Hepatitis C treatment is aimed at removing the virus from the blood, thereby reducing the risk of liver damage and liver disease. The most common hep C medication regimen is a combination of peginterferon weekly injections and ribavirin daily pills. This treatment lasts from 24 to 48 weeks.

A liver transplant may be performed if hepatitis C infection causes liver failure. Medications are typically continued after the transplant because hepatitis C infection often recurs.

In addition, people with hepatitis C must take the following steps to manage their disease:

• Avoid substances that are toxic to the liver, including alcohol. Even moderate amounts of alcohol speed up the disease progression, and alcohol reduces the effectiveness of the medications.
• Get vaccinated against hep A and B.
• Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain overall good health.
• Talk to their doctors before taking any vitamins, herbal or nutritional supplements, alternative therapies, or new over-the-counter medications.
• Do not replace proven conventional treatments for hep C with complementary or alternative medicine treatments that are unproven. Although some herbal supplements are marketed for treatment of hepatitis C, at present, these have not been proven effective for treating hepatitis C or its complications. Research in this area is ongoing.