Medicines for Hepatitis & Liver Disease

About Hepatitis & Liver Disease

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B and C are spread through blood, unsafe injections and from mother to baby, and are a major cause of liver disease in Pakistan. Many people have no symptoms for years until the liver is damaged.

Fatty liver is linked to weight, diabetes and high cholesterol. Long-term liver damage can lead to cirrhosis, with swelling of the abdomen, yellow eyes (jaundice) and confusion (hepatic encephalopathy).

Medicines used for Hepatitis & Liver Disease

Hepatitis C is now curable with tablets such as sofosbuvir with daclatasvir or velpatasvir, usually for 12 weeks. Chronic hepatitis B is controlled with tenofovir or entecavir. Ursodeoxycholic acid and silymarin are used for some liver and bile conditions, while lactulose and rifaximin help prevent confusion in advanced liver disease. Hepatitis B vaccines protect people who are not yet infected.

When to see a doctor

Get tested for hepatitis B and C if you have had injections, transfusions or dental work in unsafe settings. Seek urgent help for vomiting blood, black stools, yellow eyes, a swollen abdomen, drowsiness or confusion.

This page is for general information only. Many of these medicines need a prescription; please use them only on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist, who can choose the right medicine and dose for you.