Saturday, June 2, 2018

Weekend Reading: When to Initiate HCV Therapy and Overview Of New Drugs


If you landed here this weekend looking for information about treating the hepatitis C virus (HCV), you're in luck!

Sit back, grab your favorite beverage and review; Making a Decision on When to Initiate HCV Therapy, updated a few days ago, published by Hepatitis C Online.

The site is free, and offers easy to comprehend learning activities with comprehensive information about diagnosing, monitoring and managing the virus.

In addition, check out the links below with an overview of FDA-approved drugs, including prescribing information, clinical studies, and slide decks, also provided by Hepatitis C Online. Finally, have a look see at the HCV Guidance to discover more about treating HCV according to your genotype.

Making a Decision on When to Initiate HCV Therapy
Last Updated: May 31st, 2018
Authors: John D. Scott, MD,
Sophie L. Woolston, MD

The American Association for the Study of Liver Disease and Infectious Diseases Society of America (AASLD-IDSA) notes that evidence clearly supports treatment of nearly all persons with chronic HCV infection. Decisions regarding initiating therapy will naturally be influenced by the patient's willingness and readiness to undertake treatment.

Summary Points
Availability of highly effective, convenient, safe, well-tolerated therapy has changed the landscape for the treatment of hepatitis C.

Nearly all patients with hepatitis C may benefit from therapy. Those patients with a severely limited lifespan (less than 12 months) are the exception.

The decision and timing for starting HCV therapy needs to be individualized.

In situations when treatment is deferred (for whatever reason), the patient should periodically undergo reevaluation for disease progression and reconsideration of treatment, with the frequency of reevaluation individualized based on the patient's current fibrosis stage, likely fibrosis progression rate, and other factors that may influence treatment readiness.
Download PDF

Hepatitis C Online Additional Reading - HCV Medications
Daclatasvir (Daklinza)
Elbasvir-Grazoprevir (Zepatier)
Glecaprevir-Pibrentasvir (Mavyret)
Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir (Harvoni)
Ombitasvir-Paritaprevir-Ritonavir (Technivie)
Ombitasvir-Paritaprevir-Ritonavir and Dasabuvir (Viekira Pak)
Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys)
Peginterferon alfa-2b (PegIntron)
Ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetol, Ribasphere)
Simeprevir (Olysio)
Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi)
Sofosbuvir-Velpatasvir (Epclusa)

HCV Guidance 
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the Infectious Diseases Society of America with the International Antiviral Society developed a living document with ever evolving guidelines to treat HCV. Here are a few links to get you started.

The following pages include guidance for management of treatment-naive patients.
Genotype 1
Genotype 2
Genotype 3
Genotype 4
Genotype 5 or 6

The following pages include guidance for management of treatment-experienced patients. 
Genotype 1
Genotype 2
Genotype 3
Genotype 4

Stay current with all guideline updates, "click here."

If you missed the June issue of newsletters, blog updates and recent publications, click here. Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Tina

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