Liver disease is a broad term that covers various conditions that affect the liver, the largest internal organ in the body. The liver performs many vital functions, such as filtering the blood, producing bile, storing energy, and detoxifying harmful substances. However, when the liver is damaged or diseased, it can impair its normal functioning and cause various symptoms and complications. Some of the common causes of liver disease are viral infections, such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, alcohol abuse, obesity , diabetes, high cholesterol, autoimmune disorders, genetic disorders, drugs, toxins, and cancer.
The treatment of liver disease depends on the cause, the type, and the severity of the condition. Some liver diseases can be treated with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol, losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly., some liver diseases diseases may require medications to treat the symptoms, prevent the progression, or cure the infection. There are different types of medications that can be used to treat liver disease, and they work in different ways to improve the liver function and health. Some of the common types of liver disease medications are
Antiviral drugs
Antiviral drugs are medications that can fight viral infections that cause liver disease, such as hepatitis B and C. Antiviral drugs can reduce the viral load, which is the amount of virus in the blood, and prevent the virus from multiplying and damaging the liver cells Antiviral drugs can also reduce the inflammation and scarring in the liver, and lower the risk of complications, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Antiviral drugs are usually taken by mouth, once or twice a day, for several weeks or months , depending on the type and the stage of the infection. The dose and the duration of antiviral drugs may vary depending on the viral genotype, the viral load, the liver function, and the response to the treatment. Some of the common antiviral drugs for liver disease are.
• Entecavir:
This is an antiviral drug that is used to treat chronic hepatitis B infection. It works by blocking the enzyme that the virus needs to replicate. It can lower the viral load, improve the liver function, and reduce the risk of liver damage It is taken by mouth, once a day, on an empty stomach. The common side effects of entecavir are headache, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness. Entecavir may also interact with other medications, such as lamivudine, adefovir, or tenofovir.
• Tenofovir:
This is another antiviral drug that is used to treat chronic hepatitis B infection. It works by blocking the enzyme that the virus needs to replicate. It can lower the viral load, improve the liver function, and reduce the risk of liver damage It is taken by mouth, once a day, with or without food. The common side effects of tenofovir are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and rash. tenofovir may also cause kidney problems, bone loss, or lactic acidosis, which is a serious condition that occurs when the body produces too much lactic acid. Tenofovir may also interact with other medications, such as aminoglycosides, NSAIDs, or didanosine.
• Sofosbuvir:
This is an antiviral drug that is used to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. It works by blocking the enzyme that the virus needs to replicate. It can cure the infection in more than 90% of the cases, and prevent the progression of liver disease. It is taken by mouth, once a day, with or without food. It is usually combined with other antiviral drugs, such as ribavirin, daclatasvir, or ledipasvir, to increase the effectiveness and reduce the resistance. The common side effects of sofosbuvir are fatigue , headache, nausea, and insomnia. Sofosbuvir may also interact with other medications, such as rifampin, St. John's wort, or anticonvulsants