Until recently, the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C was a verdict: it meant the gradual development of liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. Risk factors for infection with the hepatitis C virus (and an indication for appropriate screening tests) are intravenous drug use, hemodialysis, organ transplants performed before 1992, receiving blood clotting factors produced before 1987, contaminated blood transfusion, HIV diagnosis, piercing or tattooing in unlicensed centers, children born to women with hepatitis C.

With the development of medicine, several genotypes of the hepatitis C virus have been identified and relatively successful treatment of one of the types of the virus with interferon or ribavirin has been started.

Recently, however, a real breakthrough has emerged in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, after which it became possible to talk about the possibility of its complete cure. One of the first drugs in this line was Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi). It inhibits the RNA polymerases used by the hepatitis C virus to copy its own RNA. Compared to other drugs, sofosbuvir showed higher efficacy, fewer side effects, and 2-4 times shorter duration of hepatitis C therapy, including in the treatment of genotypes 2 and 3 of the virus. The most common side effects of the drug are fatigue, headaches, and fatigue.

Another effective combination drug is Viekirax, which contains Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, which block the action of specific viral proteins NS5A and NS3/4A, which the virus needs to reproduce, and Ritonavir, which prevents the destruction of drugs. Based on the medical research carried out, we can talk about 96-100% of the effectiveness of this drug! The most common side effects are nausea, itching, weakness, fatigue, anemia, and insomnia.

Daklinza also blocks the viral protein NS5A and is used to treat viral genotype 3 in combination with Sovaldi. As with other drugs, side effects such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue are possible.

Epcluza is successfully used in the treatment of all 6 known genotypes of viral hepatitis C. The drug contains two active ingredients: Velpatasvir and Sofosbuvir. The drug can be used even in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. Most of the patients on the treatment did not report any significant side effects.

Exviera, Garvoni, and Maviret are also successfully used for the treatment of hepatitis C in Israel with high efficacy and minimal side effects.