Treatments for Hepatitis C

Contents

Treatments for Hepatitis C:

The most effective treatment plan for hepatitis C uses a multifaceted approach. Treatment plans are individualized to best fit the patient's age, medical history, and type and stage of the disease. The goal of treatment is to stop or lessen damage to the liver and minimize and quickly diagnose and treat any complications, such as such as cirrhosis of the liver.

The first step in treatment of this serious disease is prevention. Prevention measures include avoiding behaviors and situations that put a person at a high risk of catching hepatitis C, such as having unprotected sex and/or multiple sex partners, or having tattoos or body piercings done with unsterilized needles or sharing needles for drug use.

There is no specific cure for hepatitis C, but general treatment includes rest and ensuring good nutrition. Some people may have a mild infection of hepatitis C with a low risk of developing complications. In these people, treatment may only include regular medical care and monitoring of the liver and general health. In other cases, additional interventions are necessary, including antiviral medication, such as interferon or ribavirin. Hepatitis C is not treated with antibiotics because it is caused by a virus and antibiotics are not effective in treating a viral infection.

In addition, people with hepatitis C should not drink alcohol or take any supplements, over-the-counter medications, or prescription drugs without consulting their health care provider because they can cause liver damage.

For serious cases of Hepatitis C, which has lead to the complication of liver failure, hospitalization is needed. Treatment in the hospital may include medications and other diagnostic testing and treatment. Treatment may also include liver transplant for some people. This major surgical procedure involves using a healthy donor liver to replace a severely diseased liver.

Treatment List for Hepatitis C

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Hepatitis C includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

Hepatitis C is rarely diagnosed in its acute phase and treatment is usually aimed at management of the chronic infection. Treatments include:
- Avoidance of alcohol and medications that may worsen hepatic function, or rely on the liver for metabolism
- Antiviral therapy - Ribavirin - usually used in conjunction with interferon
- Interferon
- Liver transplantation - used in selected patients for acute fulminant liver failure and end stage disease not responding to other therapy

Alternative Treatments for Hepatitis C

Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed as possibly helpful for Hepatitis C may include:

Oxymatrine
Bing Gan Tang plus
Salba seeds and salba seed oil
more treatments »

Hepatitis C: Is the Diagnosis Correct?

The first step in getting correct treatment is to get a correct diagnosis. Differential diagnosis list for Hepatitis C may include:

Hepatitis C: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available for Hepatitis C:

Hepatitis C: Research Doctors & Specialists

Digestive Health Specialists (Gastroenterology):
- Gastroenterology (Digestive Specialists)
- Pediatric Gastroenterology (Child Digestive Health)
Liver Health Specialists (Hepatology):
- Transplant Hepatology (Liver Transplant Specialist)
more specialists...»

Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Unlabeled Drugs and Medications to treat Hepatitis C:

Unlabelled alternative drug treatments for Hepatitis C include:

Amantadine - used as part of a combination therapy
Antadine - used as part of a combination therapy
Symadine - used as part of a combination therapy
Symmetrel - used as part of a combination therapy

Hospitals & Medical Clinics: Hepatitis C

Research quality ratings and patient incidents/safety measures for hospitals and medical facilities in specialties related to Hepatitis C:

Hospital & Clinic quality ratings »

Choosing the Best Treatment Hospital: More general information, not necessarily in relation to Hepatitis C, on hospital and medical facility performance and surgical care quality:

Medical news summaries about treatments for Hepatitis C:

The following medical news items are relevant to treatment of Hepatitis C:

Discussion of treatments for Hepatitis C:

Drug treatment with alpha interferon or combination treatment with interferon and the drug ribavirin. (Source: excerpt from Viral Hepatitis A to E and Beyond: NIDDK)