Viekira Pak - an innovation in hepatitis C treatment
Viekira Pak - an innovation in the treatment of hepatitis C!
The new interferon-free scheme of therapy of viral hepatitis C includes a combination drug Viekira Pak, from the biopharmaceutical company AbbVie Inc., USA.
Delivery from pharmacies in Germany.
Viekira Pak (Viekira Pak) contains the following medicinal substances:
- Ombitasvir (ombitasvir) - 12.5 mg
- Paritaprevir (paritaprevir) - 75 mg
- Ritonavir - 50 mg
- Dasabuvir - 250 mg.
The package contains two pink tablets containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir, and two beige tablets containing dasabuvir.
The drug Viqueira Pak is intended for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis C with virus genotype 1, including patients with compensated cirrhosis. Therapy can be performed both with or without the addition of the drug ribavirin (as recommended by the doctor).
What is the innovation?
According to WHO statistics, there are more than 180 million people infected with the hepatitis C virus worldwide.
As a result of infection, liver function is impaired, and the risk of developing such formidable conditions as cirrhosis and liver cancer (hepatocarcinoma) is significantly increased. It should be said that viral hepatitis C is amenable to therapy, but the treatment of this infection is associated with certain difficulties. In particular, in some cases, therapy with pegylated interferons is accompanied by severe side effects, and sometimes does not lead to the expected positive effect.
Fundamentally different is the interferon-free mode of therapy of viral hepatitis C, the essence of which is the use of several drugs that inhibit (suppress) proteins responsible for the replication of viral RNA. The result of such therapy is the cessation of the formation of new viral copies.
Advantages of interferon-free treatment regimen with Viekira Pak for HCV infection:
- high virologic response (in 95-100% of cases)
- good tolerability
- convenience and comfort of therapy (the drug is taken orally, there is no need for injections).
Viekira Pak was approved by the FDA in 2014 as a drug for the treatment of patients with chronic viral hepatitis C (genotype 1), including people with cirrhosis.
Ombitasvir, paritaprevir and dasabuvir are the active ingredients of the drug with direct antiviral action. They act on different links of the hepatitis C virus replication mechanism, and together block the formation of new copies of the virus. Due to the peculiarities of the effect, such therapy is called “3-D”.
Ombitasvir is an inhibitor of hepatitis C virus protein NS5A, which takes part in virus replication and virion assembly.
Ragitarevir is an inhibitor of an enzyme of the hepatitis C virus called NS3 / 4A protease. This enzyme is actively involved in the replication of the virus.
Dasabuvir - inhibits the enzyme of hepatitis C virus - RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which inhibits the replication of the virus.
Ritonavir - a component that increases the plasma concentration of paritaprevir. It is also an inhibitor of HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteases.
Administration rules
Start taking the drug Viqueira Pak should be coordinated with a doctor! It is important to tell the doctor about all the medicines that the patient is currently taking. Some drugs are incompatible with Viekira Pak! During treatment, regular monitoring of biochemical blood tests and viremia is carried out.
The following therapy regimens are recommended:
- HCV (genotype 1a, without cirrhosis) - Viekira Pak with ribavirin for 12 weeks
- HCV (genotype 1a, cirrhosis) - Viekira Pak with ribavirin for 24 weeks.
- HCV (genotype 1b, without cirrhosis) - Viekira Pak for 12 weeks
- HCV (genotype 1b, cirrhosis) - Viekira Pak with ribavirin for 12 weeks.
Note: if the genotype subtype is unknown, it is recommended to follow the recommendations for genotype 1a.
Special category of patients
- Patients after liver transplantation due to HCV infection. A course of Viekira Pak together with ribavirin (regardless of genotype 1 subtype) for 24 weeks is recommended.
- No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment.
- Viekira Pak is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment!
- Viekira Pak is also contraindicated in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis!
- Viekira Pak is contraindicated in children under 18 years of age, pregnant women and nursing mothers. If treatment is necessary, a woman is recommended to complete lactation.
- Viekira Pak can be used in patients with HCV/HIV co-infection. However, detailed information should be obtained from a specialist.
Drug regimen
It is recommended to take 2 tablets (ombitasvir, ritonavir and ritonavir) once a day, in the morning; and 1 tablet of dasabuvir twice a day (morning and evening). It is recommended to take the drug with meals!
Results of therapy
According to the clinical studies conducted, the effectiveness of Viekira Pak is proven in 95-100% of patients. Despite the possible side effects of therapy, the drug is tolerated satisfactorily: 98% of patients were able to complete the course of treatment.
