Open AccessComplementary and alternative medications in hepatitis C infection
Author(s) -
Dina L. Halegoua-De Marzio,
Jonathan M. Fenkel
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
world journal of hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 55
ISSN - 1948-5182
DOI - 10.4254/wjh.v6.i1.9
Subject(s) - medicine , ribavirin , hepatocellular carcinoma , hepatitis c , cirrhosis , hepatitis c virus , pegylated interferon , chronic hepatitis , hepatitis , population , drug , interferon , viral hepatitis , intensive care medicine , immunology , pharmacology , virus , environmental health
Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection affects almost 3% of the global population and can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma in a significant number of those infected. Until recently, the only treatments available were pegylated interferon and ribavirin, which traditionally were not very effective and have considerable side effects. For this reason, interest in complementary and alternative medications (CAM) in the management of hepatitis C has been investigated. Some CAM has demonstrated therapeutic potential in chronic hepatitis C treatment. Unfortunately, some CAM has been shown to have the potential to cause drug-induced liver injury. This article will review and evaluate many of the natural molecules that interact with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle and discuss their potential use and safety in HCV therapy, as well as highlight some important interactions between medical and complementary treatments.