Disclaimer

Are the hepatitis C medications covered by insurance?

Every patient needs to understand his or her insurance coverage for these medications. You may be responsible for a co-payment. Most pharmaceutical companies will provide free drugs for patients without insurance. Your physician, nurse, or pharmacist can assist you in obtaining information on drug availability.

I have HCV, do I need to go on a special diet? Should I avoid certain activities, food, or drink?

A well-balanced diet is all that is necessary during treatment. Remember to include all the food groups. Good hydration is important too. Small, frequent meals work best while a patient is on treatment.

I have HCV, do I need to change my lifestyle? What do I have to do to stay healthy?

A lifestyle of moderation is good advice. Avoid risk factors such as use of illegal drugs and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Do not drink alcohol. If you have more than one sexual partner practice safe sex. Good nutrition, proper exercise, and good sleep habits are key to a healthy lifestyle.

I have HCV, can I still have children? Can I breastfeed them?

Yes. Transmission from mother to baby is very low. But during treatment and for 6 months afterwards, you should not become pregnant. The medications used to treat hepatitis C can harm the unborn fetus. An HCV-infected mother can breastfeed her child. But a mother on treatment cannot breastfeed her child because it is not known whether interferon and ribavirin are excreted in human milk.

I am one of the 43 million Americans without health insurance. I have hepatitis C and want treatment. What should I do?

I strongly suggest that you contact Roche Pharmaceuticals or Schering-Plough for information regarding free treatment for patients without health insurance. If you live in a large city, you should contact the gastroenterology department of your local university and inquire whether there are any clinical trials that you can participate in.

My husband is being treated for HCV. I am 34 years old and want to get pregnant. Is there any problem?

Peg-IFN might pose risks to the embryo or fetus and cause birth defects. The effects of ribavirin on an embryo or fetus are not fully known, but in animal studies it has been shown to cause spontaneous hemorrhaging (bleeding) and miscarriages. Therefore, even if you are not being treated but your partner is, we require you to use two effective forms of birth control (condoms, birth control pills, surgical sterilization) for the entire period that you or your partner is on treatment and for 6 months after treatment has ended.

Can I take milk thistle?

Milk thistle contains a chemical, silymarin, which has potential antioxidant effect. In a few studies of patients with liver disease, these products have resulted in improvement in liver enzymes. Additionally, there is always some concern about impurities that may be contained in food supplements, the manufacture of which is not rigorously regulated. Most hepatologist do not prescribe milk thistle, but allow their patients to use this unproven therapy if they wish.