Hepatitis C Treatment

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From March 2016, new medicines known as direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) became available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia. These new medicines are highly effective for most people, have less side-effects and are taken for a shorter time. The new medicines have proven to be > 90% effective in curing hepatitis C. Treatment will usually be for a period of 8 to 12 weeks, but may be for up to 16 weeks for some people. The medicines your doctor prescribes for you will depend on a number of things. These include: the genotype of hep C you have, whether you have developed cirrhosis (liver scarring), if you have had treatment before, or whether you have other existing health conditions.  As newer medicines become available, it is likely the need to check genotype and use the older medicines will decrease, making treatment for all people with hep C even more simple.

The following DAA medicines are currently available in Australia on the PBS:

• Epclusa® (sofosbuvir + velpatasvir)
• Maviret® (glecaprevir + pibrentasvir)
• Vosevi® (sofosbuvir + velpatasvir + voxilaprevir)
• Ibavyr® (ribavirin)

The choices of drugs is changing so the latest medical advice as to the best choice for you should always be sought.