Dasabuvir is used in the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C infection. It is used in the following HCV subtypes: genotype 1a, genotype 1b, genotype 1 of unknown subtype, and genotype 1 mixed infection without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis.
Contraindications
People should not be taking dasabuvir if they meet any of the following criteria:
They have a hypersensitivity to it or any of the substances in the tablet.
They are also taking medications that are strong or moderate enzyme inducers such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, efavirenz, nevirapine, etravirine, mitotane, rifampicin, enzalutamide, and St. John's Wort.
They are also taking medications that are strong CYP2C8 inhibitors.
They meet contraindication criteria for ombitasivir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir since dasabuvir is used in combination with those three medications.
Adverse effects
The FDA approved combination of dasabuvir used with ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir in the product Viekira Pak can cause a number of adverse effects. When Viekira Pak was used without Ribavirin, nausea, severe itching, and insomnia occurred in more than 5% of the subjects. Less commonly, patients experienced increases in liver enzymes, such as AST and ALT, to greater than five times the upper limit of normal. Usually this was asymptomatic. However, this is notable because females who are taking ethinylestradiol are at an increased risk for this side effect. Dasabuvir could cause hepatitis B re-activation in people co-infected with hepatitis B and C viruses. The European Medicines Agency recommended screening all people for hepatitis B before starting dasabuvir for hepatitis C in order to minimize the risk of hepatitis B reactivation.
Mechanism of action
Dasabuvir works by inhibiting the action of NS5B palm polymerase, effectively terminating RNA polymerization and stopping the replication of the HCV's genome. By blocking NS5B polymerase, the virus can no longer multiply and infect new cells.
History
The U.S. FDA approved regimen of ombitasvir-paritaprevir-ritonavir and dasabuvir on December 19, 2014 to be used in the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C infection in adults, which includes those with compensated cirrhosis.
Administration and storage
The two tablets of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir will be taken in the morning and the one dasabuvir tablet taken twice a day in the morning and in the evening with a meal. The combination pack is packaged in a monthly package for 28 days of treatment. Be sure to store the package and drugs included at or below 30 °C to maintain the integrity of the drugs.
