Health News

Are Hep C Drugs Worth the Cost?
Newly developed drugs to treat hepatitis C infection can cost upward of $100,000 for a full course of treatment. Do the benefits of these drugs outweigh the costs?
New Warnings for Hepatitis C Rx
Taken with a heart medication, two hepatitis C drugs might pose some serious health risks.
When Delaying Treatment Could Cost You More Dough
The cost of treating a chronic disease can add up, sometimes leading patients to hold off until the disease progresses. The most cost-effective way to treat a common liver condition, however, might be to face it head on.
Organs From High Risk Patients May Be Okay for Donation
People at risk for certain infectious diseases are usually disqualified from being blood donors. However, new research suggests that they may still be safe organ donors.
Hepatitis Cases Tied to Diet Supplement
Hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, is often caused by infection with one of the hepatitis viruses. But reports are surfacing of a non-viral form of the disease with connections to a dietary supplement.
Hepatitis is a Global Concern
Ask some people to name the world's most dangerous diseases and they just may tick off several illnesses that dominate health news headlines. Hepatitis also should be on their radar, according to organizers of World Hepatitis Day.
Victrelis and HIV Drug Interactions
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is notifying the public that co-administration of Victrelis ( boceprevir ), a hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) protease inhibitor, along with certain ritonavir-boosted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors, is not recommended at this time. Because of the possibility of reducing the effectiveness of the medicines, permitting the amount of HCV or HIV virus in the blood (viral load) to increase. Ritonavir-boosted HIV protease inhibitors include ritonavir-boosted Reyataz ( atazanavir ), ritonavir-boosted Prezista ( darunavir ), and Kal...
Hepatitis C and HIV Drug Interactions
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is notifying healthcare professionals and patients that drug interactions between the hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) protease inhibitor Victrelis ( boceprevir ) and certain ritonavir-boosted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors ( atazanavir , lopinavir , darunavir ) can potentially reduce the effectiveness of these medicines when they are used together.
Help is Here, but You Aren't Eligible
Lack of health insurance coverage may affect hepatitis C patients' access to current antiviral treatments, according to a new study.