Great success story, Austin Liver Foundation happy patients' testimonials

3. Get C Cured!

Austin Liver Foundation looks forward to great success in treating Hepatitis C patients with Gilead's new Harvoni® combination therapy.

Long before symptoms appear, the Hepatitis C virus is slowly destroying the infected liver. Although a small percentage of infected individuals can actually pass the virus naturally, most people go on to develop chronic infections. 

Ironically, It is the body's own defense mechanism that causes the most destruction to the liver. Additional damage occurs when the Individual liver cell after being forced to replicate millions of viral copies literally collapses in on itself. After years of a low-grade infection, the liver becomes irreversibly compromised. 

This is why It is imperative that one get tested, make lifestyle changes, eliminate the virus and treat any resultant diseases.

Rita tried Interferon and the side effects forced her to stop therapy.

Nancy Contracted hepatitis C while working in the operating room at a hospital. It wasn't until eight years ago that she started to feel sick. And it was only a year ago that she discovered it was a result of hepatitis C. She received Sovaldi through Dr. Alam. She is now virus free and feels great.

Roxy credits sovaldi with saving her life. Roxy thanks Dr. Alam and his team for interceding with the insurance company to help her receive the new medications.

Medications Used in the Treatment of Hepatitis C

Medications, called antivirals, can be used to treat many people with chronic Hepatitis C. It is important to be checked by a doctor experienced in treating chronic Hepatitis C. He or she can determine the most appropriate medical care. Decisions about starting antiviral treatment are based on many factors, such as the type of virus, the condition of the liver, and other health conditions. Whether or not to be treated or when to start treatment should be discussed with your doctor. Several medications are usually used to treat hepatitis C. The preferred combination of medications is dependent on the genotype of the hepatitis C virus.

Current available medications for treatment of hepatitis C:

• Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi®)
• Dose: 400 mg tablet once daily
• Treats patients with genotypes 1-4
• Common side effects: feeling tired, headache, difficulty sleeping
• Simeprevir (Olysio®)
• Dose: 150 mg tablet once daily with food
• Treats patients with genotype 1
• Common side effects: rash, sensitivity to light, nausea, indigestion
• Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (Harvoni®) combination pill
• Dose: 1 tablet daily with or without food (ledipasvir 90mg /sofosbuvir 400mg)
• Treats patient with genotype 1
• Common side effects: feeling tired, headache, nausea, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping
• Ribavirin
• Dose: 1000-1200 mg in 2 divided doses
• Treats patients with all genotypes
• Common side effects: anemia, feeling tired, headache, difficulty sleeping, nausea

• Pegylated Interferon
• Once weekly injection
• Treats patients with all genotypes
• Common side effects: flu-like symptoms, headache, feeling tired, depression

There are currently dozens of new oral medications for treatment of hepatitis C in clinical trials that will be available over the next 5 years. The results of these trials may lead to even shorter treatment durations, fewer pills, and less side effects.