Hepatitis C Treatment
The goal of treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is to cure the virus, which can be done with a combination of drugs. The specific meds
used and the duration of treatment depend on a number of factors, including HCV genotype (genetic structure of the virus),
viral load, past treatment experience, degree of liver damage, ability to tolerate the prescribed treatment, and whether the person is
waiting for a liver transplant or is a transplant recipient. In some cases, HCV treatment may be limited by your health insurance plan or
drug formulary.
Here’s information about each type, or class, of approved HCV treatment along with drugs in the late stages of development:
Multi-Class Combination Drugs
Brand Name
Generic Name
Status
Pharmaceutical Company
Epclusa*
sofosbuvir + velpatasvir
Approved
Gilead Sciences
Harvoni*
ledipasvir + sofosbuvir
Approved
Gilead Sciences
Mavyret
glecaprevir + pibrentasvir
Approved
AbbVie
Vosevi
sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/
voxilaprevir
Approved
Gilead Sciences
Zepatier
elbasvir + grazoprevir
Approved
Merck
n/a
daclatasvir + asunaprevir +
beclabuvir
Phase III
Bristol-Myers Squibb
*generic available
What are they?
Multi-class combination drugs are a combination of drugs formulated into a single pill or package of pills. For instance, the drug Harvoni
combines two drugs, ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. Ledipasvir is an NS5A inhibitor and is only sold as part of Harvoni; sofosbuvir may be
prescribed separately under the brand name of Sovaldi.
Pegylated Interferon Alfa
Brand Name
Generic Name
Status
Pharmaceutical Company
Pegasys
peginterferon alfa-2a
Approved
Genentech
What are they?
Interferon is a protein made by the immune system, named because it interferes with viral reproduction. In addition, interferon signals
the immune system to recognize and respond to microorganisms, including viral and bacterial infections. Infected cells release inter-
feron to trigger the immune response. There are three types of interferon: alfa, beta and gamma. Interferon alfa is used to treat viral
hepatitis and some types of cancer.
Nucleoside Analogs
Brand Name
Generic Name
Status
Pharmaceutical Company
Copegus, Moderiba and
Ribasphere
ribavirin
Approved
Genentech, AbbVie and
Kadmon
What are they?
Although it is not effective against hepatitis C when used alone, ribavirin plays an important role in HCV combination treatment.
Scientists have not determined exactly how it works. However, it is clear that combining ribavirin with some of the HCV direct-acting
antivirals and/or pegylated interferon boosts cure rates and reduces the risk of relapse.
hepmag.com
Nucleotide NS5B Polymerase Inhibitors
Brand Name
Generic Name
Status
Pharmaceutical Company
Sovaldi
sofosbuvir
Approved
Gilead Sciences
What are they?
These drugs block the NS5B protein, which plays a role in the replication of HCV and is involved in creating copies of the viral RNA genome.
Sovaldi is used to treat HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4 and is part of a once-a-day combination pill with the NS5A inhibitor ledipasvir. Sovaldi
may also be combined with other drugs, such as Daklinza, Olysio, or ribavirin, depending on various factors.
NS5A Inhibitors
Brand Name
Generic Name
Status
Pharmaceutical Company
Daklinza
daclatasvir
Approved
Bristol-Myers Squibb
What are they?
NS5A is an HCV protein, a part of the HCV replication complex (replicase), with multiple functions in the virus’s life cycle. Daklinza is used
in combination with Sovaldi as a component of interferon- and ribavirin-free regimens.
Last Revised: March 2019
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