Which class of drugs is typically used for the treatment of Hepatitis C?

Protease inhibitors are a significant class of antiviral drugs specifically used in the treatment of Hepatitis C. These medications work by inhibiting the protease enzyme that the Hepatitis C virus requires to replicate and produce new viral particles. By blocking this enzyme's activity, protease inhibitors effectively reduce the viral load in the body, which can lead to a sustained virologic response in patients.

In the context of Hepatitis C treatment, protease inhibitors are often part of combination therapy, working alongside other antiviral agents to enhance overall efficacy and cure rates. Examples include drugs like boceprevir and telaprevir, which have been instrumental in improving outcomes for patients with this viral infection.

On the other hand, thymidine analogs are typically more associated with the treatment of HIV and certain other viral infections, neuraminidase inhibitors are primarily used against influenza viruses, and beta-lactams are a class of antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, not viral infections.