Factsheet - Hepatitis C Treatments (Page 3 of 5) in pdf

VIEKIRA PAK is well tolerated with only minor side effects. When taken with ribavirin, it is well tolerated

but may be associated with anaemia, fatigue, headache, skin irritation and insomnia.

Zepatier is well tolerated with only minor side effects. When taken with ribavirin, it is well tolerated but

may be associated with anaemia, fatigue, headache, skin irritation and insomnia.

A special emphasis is on pregnancy, which must be strictly avoided by both men and women treated

with Ibavyr (ribavirin) in any of the previously mentioned treatment combinations (during treatment and

for 24 weeks after). Pregnancy should also be avoided with the other DAA drugs. It is also

recommended that DAA treatment is not undertaken while breastfeeding.

Does treatment interfere with other drugs?

Particular medicines can interfere with other medicines, or with recreational drugs (including alcohol). A

useful website that lists all these interactions is based at University of Liverpool (UK). It is important to

discuss what other medications or recreational drugs your patients are using.

There are some drug-to-drug interaction issues with some DAAs (for example, with St John’s Wort or the

drug amiodarone which is used for heart problems) but most cases can be adequately handled with

changing accompanying medications, or choice of hepatitis C medication, or through careful monitoring.

No treatment restrictions

All Australian adults who have chronic hepatitis C (any genotypes from 1 to 6) and who hold a Medicare

Card are eligible to access the new treatments, regardless of their stage of disease.

There are no restrictions applied for people who inject drugs. If people are denied access or experience

limited access to treatment and believe it is because of their status as a person who injects drugs, they

can call either the Hepatitis Infoline on 1800 803 990 or the NSW Users and AIDS Association on 02

8354 7300 for information.

The new treatments are also available for prisoners (see far below).

Treatment access

Doctors and specialists working at hospital liver clinics can provide the new treatments.

GPs and other doctors experienced in the treatment of hepatitis C can also provide the new treatments.

This expands access to treatment, especially for patients in rural areas.

See

for a listing of GP across NSW. This list is updated on a regular

basis.

Preparing for treatment

People with hepatitis C have an initial GP or specialist assessment. This involves full blood testing and

assessment of fibrosis stage, via Fibroscan or APRI test.

People with cirrhosis are referred for specialist care and treatment. People with cirrhosis require long

term monitoring for complications including liver cancer. See

for a

listing of Fibroscan availability across NSW.

It is important that all people are tested for the presence of hepatitis B prior to starting hepatitis C

medications. This is because some people with hepatitis B have had increased activity of hepatitis B

during treatment which may require special attention.

Factsheet - Hepatitis C Treatments Page 3