Treating & managing hepatitis C

Treatments for hepatitis C are available for all adolescents and adults in Australia who hold Medicare cards.

Treatments cure hepatitis C in 95% – 97% of people.¹

Current hepatitis C treatment is very effective. Curing hepatitis C means clearing the virus from your body. This will help reduce inflammation in your liver and reduce the risk of liver disease in the future.

Treatment for hepatitis C involves taking direct-acting antivirals (DAA). These are tablets which you take for eight to 12 weeks. The dosage will depend on which medicine your doctor prescribes.

In Australia, we use the following medications to treat hepatitis C:²

After you complete your course of medication you will need another blood test to check if treatment has worked. This will need to be completed after your course of medication (usually after 12 weeks). If you still have the virus, your doctor may recommend you take a different medication. They may also refer you to a specialist. Hepatitis C treatment is not recommended if you’re pregnant.

You will always have antibodies to hepatitis C, even if treatment is successful. Successful treatment means the virus is no longer active. However, these antibodies do not protect you from getting hepatitis C again. If you need to be tested in the future, you will need to have a PCR test again.

To access treatment for hepatitis C, visit a GP. Your normal doctor can prescribe you hepatitis C treatment medication. However, if they don’t treat hepatitis C often, they may get advice from a specialist doctor.

If you have serious liver disease such as cirrhosis, your doctor may refer you to a liver clinic at a hospital or specialist clinic. This may be the case if you:³

• are pregnant
• have another virus such as hepatitis B or HIV
• have taken this medicine before
• have end stage kidney (renal) disease
• have severe liver scarring (cirrhosis)
• have liver cancer
• have had a liver transplant.

If you are taking any other medicines or alternative therapies, tell your doctor. Some medications, vitamins and supplements can interact with hepatitis C medication, causing unwanted side effects, or resulting in them not working properly.

If you have a Medicare card, you can get the medicines at a reduced cost through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further information.

While around 95% – 97% of people will be cured with hepatitis C treatment, treatment won’t be effective for a small number of people.¹ People who live with hepatitis C are said to have chronic hepatitis C.

Look after yourself

If you have chronic hepatitis C you’re at higher risk of liver damage. To stay well, it’s important to look after your health. We recommend you:

• stay in regular contact with your GP or liver specialist and keep all medical appointments
• take any medication as directed
• reduce alcohol consumption, and avoid drinking alcohol if your liver shows signs of damage
• eat a balanced healthy diet
• get regular exercise
• maintain a healthy body weight
• manage your stress
• get enough sleep
• manage any other health conditions you have
• seek support if you need.

It’s also recommended you be vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.²

Protecting others

While hepatitis C can only be transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, it’s important to take care you don’t pass it onto others. You can do this by:

• ensuring people in your household are tested and treated for hepatitis C if they test positive
• not sharing personal grooming items, to prevent blood-to-blood contact.

If you’re pregnant or planning to fall pregnant, talk to your doctor. Treatment for hepatitis C is not recommended during pregnancy.

If you’re living with chronic hepatitis C most of the time, it’s your decision who you tell. However, there are some situations where you will need to tell people you have the virus. These include:³

• when you give blood – you can’t donate if you have ever had hepatitis C, even if you no longer have it
• you’re a healthcare worker who works in “exposure prone procedures” – such as a surgeon, or if you work with sharp instruments or exposed tissues when your hands or fingers are inside the patient’s body
• if you’re in the Australian Defence Force (e.g. Navy, Army, Air Force)
• when applying for a visa to live in Australia
• before donating organs or sperm
• when taking out insurance.

If none of the above apply to you, you’re not required by law to tell anyone you have hepatitis C, including your employer or any educational institution.
When it comes to family and friends, it’s your choice who you tell, what you tell them and when you tell them.

While it can be hard to talk about, it’s recommended you tell people who may have come into contact with the virus, so they can be tested and treated if necessary. This includes anyone you injected drugs with. If you don’t want to tell them yourself, you can ask your doctor to tell them for you.

It’s a good idea to tell people you live with that you have hepatitis C. This will allow them to get tested and treated if they need to. If you need support or advice on how to share your hepatitis status you can call our LiverLine on 1800 703 003. All calls are private and confidential.