Hepatitis C - Treatment - Hepatitis C

There is a cure for hepatitis C and treatment is free.

For most people with hepatitis C, the treatment is tablets you take for 8 to 12 weeks. Over 95% of people are cured with this treatment.

You can get this treatment through:

• a specialist
• a methadone clinic

Your treatment plan

Treatment for chronic (long lasting) hepatitis C involves:

• tablets to fight the virus
• a test to see if your liver is damaged
• lifestyle changes to prevent further damage

There are 8 main strains of the virus. In Ireland, the most common strains are genotype 1 and genotype 3. You can be infected with more than 1 strain.

You'll be offered the most suitable medicine for your type of hepatitis C.

Tests you may have

Your doctor will assess your liver for damage with a blood test or a scan called a fibroscan.

You will have blood tests 12 weeks after your treatment has stopped to see if the virus is cleared.

Hepatitis C medicines

Treatment for hepatitis C used to involve injections and taking tablets for up to 1 year. But now hepatitis C is treated using direct-acting antiviral (DAA) tablets.

DAA tablets are the safest and most effective medicines for treating hepatitis C.

They're effective at clearing the infection in more than 95% of people.

You take the tablets for 8 to 12 weeks. The length of treatment depends on the type of hepatitis C you have and the damage done to your liver.

Side effects of treatment

Treatments with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have very few side effects. Most people find DAA tablets very easy to take.

You may feel a little sick and have trouble sleeping to begin with. But this does not last long. Your nurse or doctor can suggest things to help ease any discomfort.

If you have any problems with your medicines, talk to your doctor or nurse. You need to complete the full course of treatment to clear the hepatitis C virus from your body.

Check the leaflet that comes with your medicine. This has a full list of possible side effects and advice about when to get medical help.

Effectiveness of treatment

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) cure over 95% of people with hepatitis C.

If your treatment is successful, you do not have any protection against another hepatitis C infection. There are different strains of the virus. You can still get it again.

There's no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Pregnancy and hepatitis C treatment

Some hepatitis C medicines have not been tested in pregnancy.

Avoid getting pregnant while taking treatment. It can be harmful to babies in the womb.

If you're pregnant, delay treatment until after your baby is born.

Treatment if you are planning to get pregnant

If you plan to get pregnant soon, talk to your doctor before starting hepatitis C treatment.

You'll need to wait several weeks after treatment has ended before trying to get pregnant.

If you become pregnant during treatment, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. They will discuss your treatment options with you.

Risks of not getting treatment

By not getting treatment you increase your chances of developing:

• serious liver disease
• cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
• liver cancer
• liver failure
• end stage liver disease

Complications of hepatitis C