When the first medication was developed for Hepatitis C in the early 1990s, it was rightfully considered a major breakthrough. But the treatment had serious side effects, and its efficacy left much to be desired -- in fact, the first Hepatitis C medication only had a 6% cure rate overall. Now, decades later, there are a variety of Hepatitis C medications available, with cure rates that are upwards of 95%. But with more choices comes more complexity: What works for one person might not work for another.
The good news is that there are treatment options(opens in a new tab) available for everyone, and with the help of online Hep C doctors near you, you can find the right medication for your individual needs. The team at HepCMyWay is here to help you understand your options and make the best decision for your health. Here are some of the most popular Hepatitis C medications available, along with their key benefits and drawbacks:
1. Epclusa Hep C Treatment
Epclusa, formally known as Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir, is a Hepatitis C treatment that is taken orally, in pill form. It is a highly effective treatment, with a cure rate of more than 95%. Epclusa is also a relatively short treatment, lasting only 12 weeks.
Benefits of Epclusa:
- Epclusa boasta a high cure rate of more than 95%.
- Epclusa can be used in people with all genotypes of Hepatitis C. This means that it is an effective treatment for the vast majority of people with the virus.
- Epclusa does not require interferon injections, which are known to cause side effects such as flu-like symptoms, fever, and fatigue.
Drawbacks of Epclusa:
- Epclusa may not be suitable for people with certain other health conditions, including kidney problems or liver problems other than Hepatitis C.
- Epclusa is a relatively new medication, approved in 2016. This means that although it's considered safe, there is technically less long-term data available on its safety and efficacy than other options.
- Epclusa has several unpleasant side effects reported by a number of patients, particularly fatigue and headaches. These tend to be temporary and minimal.
2. Mavyret for Hep C
Mavyret is the label under which the drug glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is sold. Like Epclusa, Mavyret is a pill taken orally, and it has a high cure rate of more than 95%.
Benefits of Mavyret:
- Mavyret has a high cure rate of more than 95%.
- Mavyret can be also used in people with all genotypes of Hepatitis C, meaning that no matter what kind of Hepatitis C you have, Mavyret is likely to be an effective treatment.
- Mavyret is a shorter treatment than some other options, lasting only 8 weeks.
Drawbacks of Mavyret
- People with certain pre existing health conditions should not take Mavyret. This includes those with liver problems other than Hepatitis C, as well as those with kidney problems.
- Mavyret has a number of potential side effects, including fatigue, headache, itching, and diarrhea. These side effects are generally considered to be mild and temporary
3. Harvoni Hepatitis C Medication
Clinically known as ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, the brand-name medication Harvoni was approved in 2014 and has quickly become one of the most popular treatment options for Hepatitis C. Like Mavyret and Epclusa, Harvoni is a pill taken orally, and it has a high cure rate of more than 95%.
Benefits of Harvoni:
- Harvoni is a highly effective treatment, with a cure rate of more than 95%.
- Harvoni can be used in people with all genotypes of Hepatitis C.
- Treatment with Harvoni lasts only 8-12 weeks, depending on the individual's situation.
Drawbacks of Harvoni:
- Harvoni is a newer medication, meaning there may be less long-term data available on its safety and efficacy than other options.
- Harvoni may not be suitable for people with certain preexisting health conditions. These include liver problems other than Hepatitis C and kidney problems.
- Side effects of Hepatitis C medication often include fatigue, headache, and nausea, and Harvoni is no exception.
Get Online Hep C Treatment Near You
If you're diagnosed with Hepatitis C, it's important to know that you're not alone in the process of finding treatment and deciding which medication is right for you. There are a number of different options available, and the right one for you will depend on your individual situation. At HepCMyWay, our team of Hepatitis C specialists is proud to provide remote treatment for patients throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio in three easy steps:
- Step 1: Fill out our patient-friendly form, or give us a call if you’re more comfortable talking to a person.
- Step 2: We’ll schedule a convenient time for you to visit a lab or send one of our experienced, compassionate phlebotomists to draw your blood. We’ll then send that blood to the lab, where pretreatment testing will be conducted.
- Step 3: Once you have the results of your test, we will schedule a telemedicine visit with you so we can discuss how to move forward with a real Hep C doctor.
Once you and your doctor decide which option is right for you, we'll ship your medication directly to your home in discreet packaging. If you're concerned about the cost of your medication, don't worry -- HepCMyWay is proud to offer treatment at little to no cost, regardless of your insurance situation.
Our team will also provide you with support and resources every step of the way, so you're never alone in your journey to freedom from Hep C. Ready to get started? Fill out our patient form now, or call us at 866-WE-CURE-HEP-C.
