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Liver Treatment Medicine

There are various diseases that can affect the liver, and if detected early, the disease and accompanying symptoms can be brought under control through medication. Liver diseases are treated with various medications prescribed by specialists.

  1. Hepatitis A

    • You are likely to contract hepatitis A if you have been in contact with water or food that has been contaminated with the virus. You might also contract the disease if you have come into contact with the blood or the stool of the person who has the disease. No medication is known to treat hepatitis A, but a doctor may prescribe antinausea medication to help reduce symptoms. A vaccine or an immune globulin shot is used as a preventative method.

    Hepatitis B

    • The hepatitis B virus can be spread by contact with body fluids or blood of a person with the infection. Those who have acute hepatitis B are not usually treated with medication. Those who suffer from chronic hepatitis B are given antiviral medication in case of liver damage. If you have knowingly been exposed to Hep B, you can receive an injection of immune globulin to protect you from developing the virus. Medication choices include Interferons like interferon alfa-2b and pegylated interferon alfa-2a, Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or NRTIs like adefovir, lamivudine, entecavir and telbivudine, and other medications.

    Hepatitis C

    • Hepatitis C is the result of a virus-induced liver infection that can lead to cirrhosis, permanent liver damage or liver failure over time. Chronic hepatitis C can only be treated with an antiviral medications, such as peginterferons, which are similar to a protein present in your body that fights infection. Combination antiviral therapy with ribavirin and interferons are used to help your body eradicate the virus.

    Liver Cancer

    • The purpose of cancer treatment is to prevent the growth and spread of abnormal cells. Drugs commonly prescribed to patients of liver cancer are Aldactone, Avastin, Lasix, Nexavar, Ambien, Capecitabine, Irinotecan, Oxaliplatin, Tarceva and pain medications. Targeted drug therapy, such as Sorafenib, interferes with tumor regeneration.

    Fatty Liver

    • Fatty liver is a condition where vacuoles of triglyceride accumulate in the liver. As of 2009, clinical studies are being performed for drugs that will help to reduce liver damage caused as a result of fatty liver. Although this can help reduce damage, it is especially important to lose weight and abstain from alcohol to control the condition. In some cases, intestinal bypass and liver transplantation may be necessary.

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