A very common question everyone wonders Is Marijuana Effective for Treating the Side Effects of Hepatitis C Medication? Hepatitis C (HCV) can be an epidemic virus that could cause liver damage that is chronic. A few individuals are turning to marijuana or cannabis, to treat the negative side effects that come with HCV medication and HCV.
Do you think this treatment is suitable for you? Find out more about the advantages and dangers of using cannabis.
What exactly is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is an infection with a virus that targets the liver. It’s spread through blood that is infected typically through sharing needles in the use of drugs. It is also passed on via:
tattoo needles
the process of birthing (from the mother who is infected ) to
Their baby)
Transfusions of blood
sexual contact (rarely)
The people who are infected with HCV might not show any manifestations for months, years or even for decades. The condition is usually identified when liver-related symptoms cause problems and medical tests.
The National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws A group working to improve marijuana laws, states that many people suffering from HCV take cannabis to alleviate the symptoms of the virus. Cannabis can also be used to alleviate nausea caused by other treatments for HCV. This is a practice that is fairly well-known, however the results of research are not conclusive. It’s not clear if marijuana can help in general and whether there are general risks.
What’s the connection between Hepatitis C with cannabis?
Marijuana isn’t the only option to help treat an HCV infection as it does not address the complications that can result in liver disease or cirrhosis. In fact, it could be effective in making nausea less severe when combined with drugs that fight the infection. Marijuana can be:
Inhalation of smoke
Consumed by taking cannabis pills , or edibles
In the mouth, it is absorbed as an or tincture
Vaporized
Certain studies have associated marijuana use as a reason for a more strict adherence to the treatment protocol. The studies have provided the notion that reducing undesirable side effects makes antiviral drugs more palatable. This means that more people can complete the entire course. The result is that people will have more positive outcomes.
The research on this subject is not without controversy. According to the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology & HepatologyTrusted Source states that marijuana use among patients affected by HCV is widespread. The study also found that patients who had included marijuana in their treatment plans didn’t have to adhere to their treatment plan as closely than people who didn’t use the drug.
It didn’t affect liver biopsies nor affect any of the “hard outcomes” of the treatment for viral infections. In the same way smoking marijuana doesn’t necessarily harm anyone. The study did not provide evidence that smoking cannabis or taking pills causes any further harm on the liver in spite of the previous findings.
Additional treatment choices for Hepatitis C
Marijuana isn’t legal in every states. This is true even when it’s being used for the medical treatment of HCV. The positive side? Innovations in the area are improving treatments and decreasing treatment times.
Antiviral medicines are typically the first option to protect against HCV. The traditional course of therapy takes up to 72 weeks. This treatment could cause anemia, flu-like symptoms or neutropenia. Recent combinations of antiviral drugs can reduce treatment time to 12 weeks. This also reduces the adverse side effects that are the most painful.
If you feel nausea as a result of the medication you are taking, your physician may prescribe anti-nausea medications. They can include:
Zofran
Compazine
Phenergan
Trilafon
Torecan
If nausea is preventing you from taking any pills You can search for some available in Supplpositories.
You might also be able to reduce your nausea by changing your diet and lifestyle:
Keep a food diary in order to keep track of any triggers.
Consume small portions of food frequently.
If you notice that your nausea is getting worse at dawn, then try
putting some food in the vicinity of your bed, and getting up later.
Risk factors for hepatitis C
Like other medications and treatments, you run some hazards associated with the use of cannabis. Marijuana may cause dizziness. It also increases the risk of bleeding, alter the blood sugar levels and decrease your blood pressure.
Marijuana also has the potential to affect the liver. The question of whether or not marijuana makes HCV liver illness worse is up to discussion.
Clinical Infectious DiseasesTrusted Source released a study in 2013 that examined the link between cannabis usage and the deterioration of HCV-related liver symptoms. In the study of more than 700 individuals, the median consumption of cannabis was just seven joint a day. The final study found no evidence of a link between smoking marijuana with liver fibrosis. For every 10 additional joint one smokes over their median, their risk for being diagnosed with the disease by a small amount.
A study from 2006 released in European Journal of Gastroenterology & HepatologyTrusted Source reports that patients with HCV who smoke marijuana stick to the treatment regimens. The study concluded that “potential benefits of a higher likelihood of treatment success appear to outweigh risks.”
However there is a disagreement among researchers. Further research needs to be completed in this area to evaluate the advantages and the potential risks.
Talking to your physician
There aren’t many studies on marijuana as a remedy for HCV symptoms as well as drug adverse negative effects. However, the evidence currently available suggests taking the drug may help in certain situations. Always consult your physician prior to using marijuana or other substances.
If you believe that cannabis could be a beneficial medication to include in your treatment regimen, make sure to check with your physician. It is important to determine whether medicinal use of cannabis is allowed within your particular state. Your physician might be able to recommend other options to consider like Zofran for nausea, if it causes you to find your treatment regimen difficult to adhere to.
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What can cannabis do to stop ALD?
The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis have been well documented. The previous research conducted by Trusted Source discovered that the receptors for cannabinoids in the liver could be targets for new methods to treat liver diseases.
The activation of these receptors by cannabis can reduce inflammation that is seen in the beginning of ALD which slows the development in the course of disease.
In contrast, Bukong cautioned, “Our research could not determine the strains of cannabis utilized. We couldn’t ascertain the content of cannabinoids in the individual who consumed it. We were also unable to determine the dose or methods of use, even though the most likely route is smoking.”
Singh stated, “However, some of the scarring disappears because the healthy liver is able to regenerate, and so cirrhosis could improve when a person quits drinking. However, some scarring may persist.” We hope this helped you know is Marijuana Effective for Treating the Side Effects of Hepatitis C Medication.
