scholarly journals Crushing and Splitting Direct-Acting Antivirals for Hepatitis C Virus Treatment: A Case Series and Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Whelchel ◽  
Autumn D Zuckerman ◽  
David E Koren ◽  
Caroline Derrick ◽  
Jeannette Bouchard ◽  
...  

Abstract Limited data exist regarding the use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients who are unable to swallow tablets. This case series describes HCV treatment in patients requiring tablet manipulation, providing evidence for safety and effectiveness of HCV DAA tablet manipulation.

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carissa E. Chu ◽  
Feng Wu ◽  
Xi He ◽  
Kali Zhou ◽  
Yu Cheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background.  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment access among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected people who inject drugs is poor, despite a high burden of disease in this population. Understanding barriers and facilitators to HCV treatment uptake is critical to the implementation of new direct-acting antivirals. Methods.  We conducted in-depth interviews with patients, physicians, and social workers at an HIV treatment facility and methadone maintenance treatment centers in Guangzhou, China to identify barriers and facilitators to HCV treatment. We included patients who were in various stages of HCV treatment and those who were not treated. We used standard qualitative methods and organized data into themes. Results.  Interview data from 29 patients, 8 physicians, and 3 social workers were analyzed. Facilitators and barriers were organized according to a modified Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research schematic. Facilitators included patient trust in physicians, hope for a cure, peer networks, and social support. Barriers included ongoing drug use, low HCV disease knowledge, fragmented reimbursement systems, HIV exceptionalism, and stigma. Conclusions.  Expanding existing harm reduction programs, HIV treatment programs, and social services may facilitate scale-up of direct-acting antivirals globally. Improving integration of ancillary social and mental health services within existing HIV care systems may facilitate HCV treatment access.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 590-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavlina Dzekova-Vidimliski ◽  
Aleksandar Sikole

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent among patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. It is necessary to determine the HCV genotype and the viral load to monitor the clinical and laboratory features and to establish an optimal antiviral treatment strategy. Antiviral treatments are presented with a standard interferon-based regimen and new direct-acting antiviral agents. The advent of direct-acting antivirals has improved the efficacy and safety of HCV treatment for most patients, even in difficult-to-treat populations such as patients on hemodialysis. HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals in hemodialysis patients is highly effective, with viral eradication rates similar to those seen in patients without chronic kidney disease and with acceptable adverse event profiles.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kao-Chi Chang ◽  
Shui-Yi Tung ◽  
Kuo-Liang Wei ◽  
Chen-Heng Shen ◽  
Yung-Yu Hsieh ◽  
...  

AbstractClinical trials showed pangenotypic direct-acting antivirals’ (DAAs) excellent efficacy and safety when treating hepatitis C virus (HCV). Two pangenotypic regimens were examined, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL), in a real-world Taiwanese setting, including all HCV patients treated with GLE/PIB or SOF/VEL from August 2018 to April 2020. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment cessation (SVR12), including adverse events (AEs). A total of 1,356 HCV patients received pangenotypic DAA treatment during the study: 742 and 614 received GLE/PIB and SOF/VEL, respectively. The rates of SVR12 for GLE/PIB and SOF/VEL were 710/718 (98.9%) and 581/584 (99.5%), respectively, by per-protocol analysis, and 710/742 (95.7%) and 581/614 (94.6%), respectively, by evaluable population analysis. Eleven (GLE/PIB: 8, SOF/VEL: 3) did not achieve SVR12. The most common AEs for GLE/PIB and SOF/VEL were pruritus (17.4% vs. 2.9%), abdominal discomfort (5.8% vs. 4.4%), dizziness (4.2% vs. 2%), and malaise (3.1% vs. 2.9%). Laboratory abnormalities were uncommon; only < 1% exhibited elevated total bilirubin or aminotransferase levels with both regimens. Five drug discontinuations occurred due to AEs (bilirubin elevation: 3; dermatological issues: 2). Pangenotypic DAAs GLE/PIB and SOF/VEL are effective and well tolerated, achieving high SVR12 rates for patients with all HCV genotypes.


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