The drug is capable of stabilizing the patient’s condition and can also improve liver functions.
According to several statistics released by the health authorities no more than 2.7 million US citizens are suffering from hepatitis C. The disease can severely affect the liver, ultimately leading to the death of the patients. But hope is not altogether lost. New drug shows promising results in treating hepatitis C.
The new wonder-drug is based on the research conducted by several scientists from the Intermountain Medical Center. The team focused on coming up with an effective treatment capable of improving the condition of those who are suffering from severe or advanced liver disease.
According to the study’s results, it would seem that the new drug can significantly improve the patient’s chances of survival. Moreover, the clinical trials have shown that patients who received this treatment displayed increased hepatic stability and their vitals improved over time.
Medical literature defines hepatitis C as being an infectious disease capable of affecting the liver’s functions. This disease is caused by the hepatitis C virus, commonly known as HCV. Typically the disease presents no detectable symptoms, however, over time, hepatitis C can lead to liver scarring and cirrhosis.
The latter symptom can be identified as being the cause for other severe liver condition such as liver cancer, liver failure, and even gastric varices. Concerning the way the virus can be transmitted, according to worldwide reports, it would seem that HCV can be contracted through blood transfusions, drug injection and medical equipment that has not been properly sterilized.
Further study would suggest that only human and chimpanzees are prone to be infected by the hepatitis C virus. Standard treatment of hepatitis C includes a mixture of peginterferon and ribavirin, although there are some cases which require other drugs such as telaprevir or boceprevir.
According to the statistics posted by the World Health Organization, the cure rate for hepatitis C ranges from 50 to 95 percent. But, with the new drug, it seems highly likely to see an increase in a few years.
The new drug shows promising results in treating hepatitis C and it would seem that the numbers validate the clinical trials. Moreover, unlike interferon-based hepatitis C drug, the new wonder-drug comes in the form of a tablet. The team argues that this delivery mechanism seems to be more effective than the traditional one which includes IV bags.
Michael Charlton, the chair of the Liver Transplantation program stated that the new treatment displayed tremendous results when it was associated to patients who displayed severe liver symptoms. Moreover, by effectively improving the liver’s functionality, the chances of a case requiring a liver transplant become very small.
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