Until this year, only about 45 percent of Hepatitis C genotype 1 patients (genotype 1 is the most common type of Hepatitis C in the U.S.) who were treated with Interferon and Ribivirin were able to eliminate the virus and be cured.
But a few months ago two new drugs were approved by the FDA. These new drugs target the genotype 1 Hepatitis C virus directly. Tests have shown that parients who used one of the new drugs, along with Interferon and Ribivirin, had much better "cure rates" that those who used Interferon and Ribivirin alone. In drug trials, over 70 percent of these patients eliminated the Hepatitis C virus.
And treatment for Hepatitis C promises to get even better. A number of additional drugs and drug combinations are in test and development right now.
Treatments being developed now are likely to allow just about everyone infected with Hepatitis C to get rid of the virus and stop damage to the liver.
If you have put off being tested for Hepatitis C, ask your doctor to test you now. If you know you have Hepatitis C, but have put off thinking about treatment, this is a great time to talk with a liver specialist about what new treatments for Hepatitis C - available now, or in development and testing - mean for you.