Guidelines for hepatitis C treatment are now changed

The American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) released new guidelines on their website this week regarding how to properly treat the sexually transmitted disease (STD) hepatitis C (HCV). These guidelines will address the use of two new medications - telaprevir and boceprevir - which were approved by the Food and Drug Association (FDA) in May. 

These drugs are the beginning of a series of new medications called direct acting antivirals (DAA), which have been shown in trials to improve the outcomes of hepatitis C patients.

"The AASLD has been very proactive in modifying our HCV guidelines to reflect this change. Ever since we knew of the improved treatment response with the addition of DAAs, the AASLD Practice Guideline Committee has moved quickly to update the existing guideline," said ASSLD president Jake Liang.

The organization noted that these medications are not approved for children, and will not be effective in treating patients that have a combination of HCV and HIV. Liang added that while these drugs have been associated with more effective treatment, they also carry more serious side effects, so individuals should discuss proper usage with their healthcare providers.