Is Suboxone Safe To Take If I Have Hepatitis C?
Many persons with hepatitis C are concerned about the side effects of drugs on their liver. Suboxone, on the other hand, may be safe for people who have hepatitis C. Hepatitis C does not receive nearly the amount of public attention it needs, given how common and potentially harmful it is. Between 2013 and 2016, the CDC estimated that 2.4 million Americans were infected with hepatitis C, and infection rates have been rising each year. Hepatitis C, if left untreated, can lead to a variety of diseases and ailments, as well as catastrophic liver damage.
The good news is that DAAs (direct-acting antivirals) are a new family of drugs that make treating hepatitis C faster, more successful, and less invasive than ever before. DAA cure rates using oral pills are currently at an amazing 95 percent. In 8-12 weeks, the majority of individuals on this treatment regimen have undetectable virus loads. It'll just take two or three months! These innovations are incredible, but because they're so fresh to the market, it's natural for people to have questions about them. One of the most common questions we get is whether someone who is having hepatitis C treatment can simultaneously safely take Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone). Here's what you need to know about taking Suboxone and hepatitis C drugs at the same time:
Suboxone and hepatitis C medications are safe for my liver. subutex clinic near me
This is one of the most common concerns, and it's understandable! Because hepatitis C affects your liver, you should avoid placing additional load on it by taking other medications. That is why the University of Liverpool has developed a Hepatitis C Drug to Drug Interaction Checker to assist doctors and patients in determining potential drug interactions without relying on guesswork or hearsay. Suboxone's active ingredients, buprenorphine and naloxone, are not incompatible with hepatitis C treatments. This suggests that Suboxone and hepatitis C drugs can be taken together safely. However, I've heard that if I'm being treated for hepatitis C, I'll have to take Subutex instead of Suboxone.
Although this is a fiction, it is widely believed. Suboxone is a brand name for buprenorphine-plus-naloxone, while Subutex is a brand name just buprenorphine. Naloxone is an opioid-blocking drug that can prevent overdose when taken alone. It's a safety feature in Suboxone that helps ensure that the medicine is used correctly and reduces the chance of it being misused. It was once widely believed that Suboxone's presence of naloxone rendered it unsuitable for usage with hepatitis C medicines. But it isn't the case! Suboxone is well tolerated by persons receiving direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C, according to study. The presence of naloxone has no effect on the likelihood of liver injury (hepatotoxicity).
Is it necessary to get tested for hepatitis C even if I don't have any signs of the disease? subutex clinic near me
Yes! Many people with hepatitis C, perhaps even the majority, are unaware that they have it. Many people don't display any symptoms when they're first sick. However, this does not rule out the possibility of future hazards or difficulties. It's critical to test for hepatitis C so that it can be detected and treated before irreversible harm occurs. Because only a tiny fraction of persons affected are aware of their infection, the CDC recommends that all adults be tested for hepatitis C. People who use IV medicines are at a higher risk of infection, thus testing them is even more important.
What if I drink or use drugs again after starting hepatitis C treatment? subutex clinic near me
"State-of-the-art medical therapy for HCV infection should be accessible and available to all current and past drug users with chronic HCV infection," according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Active alcohol and/or drug usage should not automatically disqualify a person from undergoing HCV treatment. Patients who continue to use alcohol and/or drugs have similar results to those who do not." If you have hepatitis C, it's best for your liver if you don't drink or take drugs, but you should still get the therapy you need.
How does Workit Health test for hepatitis C and cure it? subutex clinic near me
If you test positive for hepatitis C, your healthcare professional will work with you to identify which of the direct-acting antivirals is appropriate for you. They'll send the e-prescription to your local pharmacy in the same way they send other prescriptions. The fact that hepatitis C can now be cured with a course of oral medications is a huge step forward. Don't let apprehension about the unknown or a possible interaction with your Suboxone keep you from obtaining the help you need.
