How to Treat Hepatitis C With Interferon

Hepatitis C is a very serious form of liver disease. The condition is made more serious by the fact that most people do not outwardly show symptoms, meaning that they do not know they have the disease and therefore do not practice prevention. By the time liver damage is visible, hepatitis C has progressed quite far and can be difficult to treat. One of the treatment methods for hepatitis C is an injectable drug called interferon.

Things You'll Need

• Blood tests
• Interferon injections
• Ribavirin
• Pain relievers

Instructions

1. Have blood tests that will show not only the viral load (how much of the hepatitis C virus is in your bloodstream) but which genotype of the disease you have. Genotype 1 is the most common and requires interferon treatments for almost a year. Genotypes 2 and 3 are less serious and require interferon injections for about six months.

2. Discuss the option of combining interferon treatments with an oral medication called ribavirin. Mayo Clinic experts explain that ribavirin is an anti-viral drug that is often given in conjunction with interferon in an attempt to eradicate the hepatitis virus in one treatment cycle (see Resources).

3. Opt for pegylated interferon injections that are administered once a week. This newer, longer-lasting form of interferon differs from the standard version of the drug that must be injected three times weekly. The effectiveness of either type of drug is the same.

4. Take a pain reliever an hour or two before your interferon injections to help combat the aches and flu-like symptoms that you may experience. Ask your doctor to recommend a pain reliever that is safe for you to use.

5. Let your doctor know if side effects from the interferon become too severe for you to handle. In addition to achiness, you may have trouble concentrating, feel depressed and irritable and experience insomnia. In some cases, your dosage of interferon can be adjusted.

Tips & Warnings

• Women who are pregnant and have hepatitis C should not take interferon. Discuss other treatment options with your doctor.

Resources

• Mayo Clinic hepatitis C treatment explanation