Published on Dec 2, 2013
Dr. Joseph Galati with Liver Specialists of Texas, located in Houston, in this video talks about the new hepatitis C drugs that have been FDA approved. Dr. Galati has been treating patients with hepatitis C for over 20 years, and is involved in hepatitis C research.
This past week, the FDA gave approval to Janssen's new drug to treat hepatitis C. Simeprevir, commercially know as OLYSIO, is the first new hepatitis C drug since the release of telapravir (Incevik) and boceprevir (Victrelis) in 2011. Simeprevir is a NS3/4A protease inhibitor, used in combination with interferon and ribavirin.
The release of simeprevir marks the beginning of a new wave of direct acting antiviral agents against the hepatitis C virus. Additional drugs are set for FDA approval, including the Gilead drug sofosbuvir in early December 2013.
Most of the new hepatitis C drugs will have a number of features in common. These include:
Very high cure rate, in the 80-90% range -- lower in null and non-responders
Less side effects
Shorter duration of treatment
Less pills to take each day
Cirrhosis reduces response rates
Less drug-drug interactions
Genotype 1 subtype differences exist
Looking further, we will eventually have all interferon-free protocols. It is anticipated that as additional new drugs are approved, they will be combined (example sofosbuvir and simeprevir), allowing us to treat a wide range of patients, safely, and with a cure rate many of us may have never envisioned 20 years ago.
For a consultation to see if you are a candidate for these new drugs, contact Lexa at our office at 713-794-0700 and visit our webpage www.texasliver.com for additional information.
Related-
Olysio (simeprevir) - Resistant Variant (Q80K)
This past week, the FDA gave approval to Janssen's new drug to treat hepatitis C. Simeprevir, commercially know as OLYSIO, is the first new hepatitis C drug since the release of telapravir (Incevik) and boceprevir (Victrelis) in 2011. Simeprevir is a NS3/4A protease inhibitor, used in combination with interferon and ribavirin.
The release of simeprevir marks the beginning of a new wave of direct acting antiviral agents against the hepatitis C virus. Additional drugs are set for FDA approval, including the Gilead drug sofosbuvir in early December 2013.
Most of the new hepatitis C drugs will have a number of features in common. These include:
Very high cure rate, in the 80-90% range -- lower in null and non-responders
Less side effects
Shorter duration of treatment
Less pills to take each day
Cirrhosis reduces response rates
Less drug-drug interactions
Genotype 1 subtype differences exist
Looking further, we will eventually have all interferon-free protocols. It is anticipated that as additional new drugs are approved, they will be combined (example sofosbuvir and simeprevir), allowing us to treat a wide range of patients, safely, and with a cure rate many of us may have never envisioned 20 years ago.
For a consultation to see if you are a candidate for these new drugs, contact Lexa at our office at 713-794-0700 and visit our webpage www.texasliver.com for additional information.
Related-
Olysio (simeprevir) - Resistant Variant (Q80K)
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