ADVANCES IN LIVER DISEASE: HEPATITIS C
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Volume 17 Issue 4 Page 431 - April 2002
Hepatitis C advances in antiviral therapy:
What is accepted treatment
now?
by John G Mchutchison
Abstract:
The vast number of patients with hepatitis C represent a huge
medical and economic burden. While 20-30 of these patients progress and
develop advanced liver disease, the majority do not. Thus, it is crucial to
identify patients suitable for treatment and those who may benefit most from
therapy.
Anti-viral therapy is recommended for those patients with chronic
hepatitis C who also have elevated liver tests, detectable hepatitis C virus
ribonucleic acid and significant inflammation and/or fibrosis on liver
biopsy. Currently, the most effective initial therapy is the combination of
interferon plus ribavirin. The...
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Hep-C. Q & A
Some hepatitis C patients, with a compromised liver, have an elevated ammonia level. Is there an effective treatment for this problem? Does l-carnatine help?
-Robert Ness
Dear Robert,
Your message was sent to me from the Heroin Times. I am an addiction medicine physician who answers some of the questions sent to the e-zine.
Ammonia accumulates in the blood of people with severe liver disease because it is not transformed into ammonium that can be excreted in the urine.
Ways to cut down on ammonia is to have a low protein diet, there is a medicine called "lactulose" that is given by prescription. It helps the GI tract by excreting ammonia and encouraging the growth of helpful bacteria.
The patient should see their internist for the specifics.
I hope this helps.
Joel Nathan, MD
Addiction Recovery Institute
New York, NY. (212)-223-3600
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