There are 6 different genotypes of Hepatitis C. Genotypes refer to genetic variations in the virus. The optimal medication treatment (that offers the highest chance of cure) depends on the specific genotype a person has. While other treatments might well work, there is typically the best choice.

You will find good, up to date and reliable summaries on the best treatment for each genotype at either of:

The executive summary for non cirrhotic patients provided by EASL is presented in the table below:

The executive summary for non cirrhotic patients provided by EASL is presented in the table below:

There’s an App for that!

EASL have developed an App called the HCV Treatment Advisor to help inform treatment decisions.

iOS HCV Treatment Advisor

Android HCV Treatment Advisor

Why two drugs for Hepatitis C treatment?

You will notice that in all cases at least two drugs are required. The reason for this relates to a phenomenon called log kill. A single drug will only kill a percentage of the virus. While that percentage might be really high, say 99.99% there will be a few survivors, and these survivors will be resistant to that medication. That’s where the second medication comes in to kill off these survivors using a different mechanism to the first drug and thus achieve complete removal of the virus.

The Impact of Cirrhosis of Hepatitis C Treatment Success

Patients with cirrhosis are harder to treat than patients who have not progressed to this stage. The results are still excellent but longer treatment is required.

To Ribavirin or not to Ribavirin – that is the question

We know that each medications will exhibit a log kill and can observe that with HIV (also an RNA virus) that is one medication is good, two is better, and three can be better again. 3 drug combinations exist, and more are on the way, but at the moment Ribivarin should be seriously considered for patients who have cirrhosis, genotype 3, or are undergoing retreatment.