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Glossary

Selected words and phrases

DAA (direct acting antiviral) – new hepatitis C drugs that work directly against the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

The following links are to UK prescribing information for DAA combinations plus ribavirin.

Elbasvir/grazoprevir
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/elbasvir-with-grazoprevir/

Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/ledipasvir-with-sofosbuvir/

Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/glecaprevir-with-pibrentasvir/

Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir 
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sofosbuvir-with-velpatasvir/

Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sofosbuvir-with-velpatasvir-and-voxilaprevir/

Ribavirin (RBV)
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/ribavirin/

Additional information is available from the MHRA website.
https://products.mhra.gov.uk/

anti-fungal – drug used to treat fungus infections.

Hypertension is the medical name for high blood pressure (BP). Blood pressure is measured as two numbers ie 120/80. The first number is systolic BP – the pressure when your heart beats. The second number is diastolic BP, which is the pressure when you heart rests between beats.

Target range for BP is usually 120/80. Drugs to reduce BP are sometimes recommended if this is above 130/85 or 140/90. This also depends on other risk factors for heart disease, including age, sex, ethnicity ajd other health factors.

Hypertension increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke, particularly when diastolic BP is high.

See: Hypotension (low blood pressure).

cervical smear – test to look for abnormal cells in the cervix and uterus.

bile duct – a tube that carries bile from the liver to the gallbladder and then to the small intestine biopsy: taking a small sample of body tissue for examination and testing in the laboratory