Yes, it’s curable. But it can take a while, depending on how long it’s been ravaging your body. Antiviral medications are used by doctors to eliminate the hepatitis C virus from the body. These are usually taken until the virus is completely gone.
Here are some of the FDA-approved antiviral medications that are used for hep C treatments…
1. Interferon
Interferon is one of the commonly-prescribed treatments for hepatitis C, and is likewise used against cancers like leukemia or melanoma. Through a doctor’s direction, it is administered through injection and is best used before going to sleep to reduce side effects.
Our next treatment is a chemically modified form of the standard interferon medication…
2. Peginterferon
Pegylated interferon (peginterferon) is also another injectable that’s used to combat viral diseases like hepatitis C by weakening the virus and strengthening the body’s immune system in the long run. Doctors prescribe a single weekly injection either under the skin of the abdomen or on the thigh.
From the injectables we go to the tablets and capsules, starting with…
3. Daklinza
Generic name: Daclatasvir
The recommended dosage for these water-soluble tablets is 60 mg, taken once a day for up to 12 weeks until the symptoms disappear. These are also safe enough to be taken even without eating prior.
Our next medication is a combination often prescribed along with daklinza…
4. Sovaldi
Generic name: Sofosbuvir
Take this tablet at the same time every day with food. You have to take it along with ribavirin and/or interferon, and you’ll probably be on it for 12 to 24 weeks.
Sofosbuvir is often prescribed with many other antiviral tablets, as our following treatments show…
5. Epclusa
Generic name: Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir
Epclusa is a combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir and helps the liver heal and keeps it from lapsing into cirrhosis. Like daklinza, epclusa is also taken once a day for the entire 12-week period prescribed by your doctor.
Another combination with sofosbuvir is a popular choice for treating hep C…
6. Harvoni
Generic name: Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir
This medication combines sofosbuvir with ledipasvir and is specifically intended for cases of chronic hepatitis C. The patient should take it at the exact same hour every day, since it works best when its amount is kept at a sustained level.
The following medication offers a much faster treatment period…
7. Mavyret
Generic name: Glecaprevir and pibrentasvir
Compared to the previous medications, Mavyret has a shorter treatment cycle for untreated patients who have either acute and chronic hep C. The prescribed dosage is 3 tablets daily for about 8 weeks, though it could be longer for more serious cases.
If you think 8-12 weeks is long, some prescriptions last up to almost a year…
8. Ribavirin
Ribavirin is a generic drug that may come as a tablet, liquid, or a capsule. It is taken with food once in the morning and in the evening, for up to 24 to 48 weeks or longer. This medication is also used in viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Like sofosbuvir, ribavirin is also often prescribed along with other medications…
9. Vosevi
Generic name: Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir
According to the FDA, Vosevi is the first treatment approved to treat adult patients who have undergone treatment for chronic hep C virus, either with no cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis. It is taken with food once a day and should be taken at a fixed hour.
Our last medication surely packs a punch on the virus…
10. Zepatier
Generic name: Elbasvir-grazoprevir
Zepatier is perhaps the most promising of the medications we have on our list, as it has shown a promising 95% success rate of recovery of previously untreated people, with or without having suffered cirrhosis.
Side effects
Promising as these treatments may be, these treatments often come packed with side effects due to their medication’s properties. These include, but are not limited to the following:
- Headaches.
- Fatigues.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Appetite loss.
- Weight loss.
When in doubt, ask your doctor
Sometimes, misuse of these medications can lead to further complications that can even lead to death, so it’s important to consult with the doctor regarding prescribed dosages and amounts and following them carefully.
