Healthcare Industry News: ritonavir
News Release - July 26, 2016
AbbVie Receives U.S. FDA Approval of Once-Daily VIEKIRA XR(TM) (dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir) for the Treatment of Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., July 25, 2016 -- (Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network) -- AbbVie (ABBV), a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a New Drug Application (NDA) for VIEKIRA XR™ (dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir) extended-release tablets. VIEKIRA XR is a once-daily, extended-release co-formulation of the active ingredients in VIEKIRA PAK® (ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir tablets; dasabuvir tablets) and is for the treatment of patients with chronic genotype 1 (GT1) hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, including those with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A). VIEKIRA XR is not for people with decompensated cirrhosis.VIEKIRA XR is the first co-formulated three direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for adult patients with GT1 HCV. VIEKIRA XR is given once-daily as three oral tablets and must be taken with a meal. It is used without ribavirin (RBV) in GT1b patients and in combination with twice daily RBV in GT1a patients. The approval is supported by Phase 3 clinical trials for VIEKIRA PAK which include data that demonstrated 100 percent sustained virologic response 12 weeks following treatment (SVR12) in GT1b patients with 12 weeks of therapy without ribavirin and 95 percent SVR12 in GT1a patients when used with ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks of therapy.
"AbbVie's work continues to contribute to the transformation of hepatitis C care through our focus on evolving our current therapies as part of our ongoing commitment to patients," said Rob Scott, M.D., vice president, development and chief medical officer, AbbVie. "The approval of VIEKIRA XR provides a new treatment option for genotype 1 hepatitis C patients in the U.S. with clinical trial data using the components of VIEKIRA XR demonstrating 100 percent cure rates in genotype 1b patients."
There are six major HCV genotypes (GT1-6) and GT1 is the most prevalent form of HCV in the U.S., accounting for approximately 74 percent of all cases.1 Hepatitis C continues to be an important public health issue, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that in the U.S. approximately 2.7 million people are chronically infected with HCV.2
The approval of VIEKIRA XR is supported by data from seven Phase 3 clinical trials in more than 2,300 patients who received VIEKIRA PAK with or without RBV for 12 or 24 weeks and two bioavailability studies comparing the formulations.
About Clinical Studies
The components of VIEKIRA XR (administered twice daily with a meal) have been studied in seven Phase 3 clinical trials where 1076 subjects (including 181 with compensated cirrhosis) received the recommended regimen of VIEKIRA +/- RBV for 12 weeks, or for 24 weeks in GT1a patients with compensated cirrhosis. Ninety-five to 100 percent achieved SVR12, which means the hepatitis C virus is not detectable in the blood three months after treatment ends. Cure rates varied by the subtype of hepatitis C and whether or not the person had cirrhosis. Individual results may vary.
USE
VIEKIRA XR™ (dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir) extended-release tablets/VIEKIRA PAK® (ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir tablets; dasabuvir tablets) (VIEKIRA) are prescription medicines used with or without ribavirin to treat adults with genotype 1 chronic (lasting a long time) hepatitis C (hep C) virus infection.
VIEKIRA can be used in people who have compensated cirrhosis.
VIEKIRA is not for people with advanced cirrhosis (decompensated). If people have cirrhosis, they should talk to a doctor before taking VIEKIRA.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
When taking VIEKIRA in combination with ribavirin, people should read the Medication Guide that comes with ribavirin, especially the important pregnancy information.
What is the most important information to know about VIEKIRA?
- VIEKIRA may cause severe liver problems, especially in people with certain types of cirrhosis. These severe liver problems can lead to the need for a liver transplant, or can lead to death.
- VIEKIRA can cause increases in liver function blood test results, especially if people use ethinyl estradiol-containing medicines (such as some birth control products).
- Ethinyl estradiol-containing medicines (combination birth control pills or patches, such as Lo Loestrin® FE, Norinyl®, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo®, Ortho Evra®; hormonal vaginal rings such as NuvaRing®; and the hormone replacement therapy medicine, Fem HRT®) must be stopped before starting treatment with VIEKIRA. If these medicines are used as a method of birth control, another method must be used during treatment with VIEKIRA, and for about 2 weeks after treatment with VIEKIRA ends. A doctor can provide instruction on when to begin taking ethinyl estradiol-containing medicines.
- Ethinyl estradiol-containing medicines (combination birth control pills or patches, such as Lo Loestrin® FE, Norinyl®, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo®, Ortho Evra®; hormonal vaginal rings such as NuvaRing®; and the hormone replacement therapy medicine, Fem HRT®) must be stopped before starting treatment with VIEKIRA. If these medicines are used as a method of birth control, another method must be used during treatment with VIEKIRA, and for about 2 weeks after treatment with VIEKIRA ends. A doctor can provide instruction on when to begin taking ethinyl estradiol-containing medicines.
- A doctor should do blood tests to check liver function during the first 4 weeks of treatment and then as needed.
- A doctor may tell people to stop taking VIEKIRA if signs or symptoms of liver problems develop. A doctor must be notified right away if any of the following symptoms develop or if they worsen during treatment with VIEKIRA: tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, color changes in stools, confusion, or swelling of the stomach area.
VIEKIRA must not be taken if people:
- have certain liver problems
- take any of the following medicines: alfuzosin hydrochloride (Uroxatral®) • carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, TEGRETOL®-XR, TERIL®) • cisapride (Propulsid®) • colchicine (Colcrys®), in patients who have certain kidney or liver problems • dronedarone (Multaq®) • efavirenz (Atripla®, Sustiva®) • ergot-containing medicines, including ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot®, Ergomar®, Ergostat®, Medihaler®, Migergot®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), methylergonovine (Ergotrate®, Methergine®) • ethinyl estradiol-containing medicines • gemfibrozil (Lopid®) • lovastatin (Advicor®, Altoprev®, Mevacor®) • lurasidone (Latuda®) • midazolam (when taken by mouth) • phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®) • phenobarbital (Luminal®) • pimozide (Orap®) • ranolazine (Ranexa®) • rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater®, Rimactane®) • sildenafil citrate (Revatio®), when taken for pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) • simvastatin (Simcor®, Vytorin®, Zocor®) • St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) or a product that contains St. John's wort • triazolam (Halcion®)
- have had a severe skin rash after taking ritonavir (Norvir®)
What should people tell a doctor before taking VIEKIRA?
- If they have: liver problems other than hep C infection, HIV infection, or any other medical conditions.
- If they have had a liver transplant.
- If they take the medicines tacrolimus (Prograf®) or cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), a doctor should check blood levels and, if needed, may change the dose of these medicines or how often they are taken, both during and after treatment with VIEKIRA.
- If they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or if they are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VIEKIRA will harm a person's unborn baby or pass into breast milk. A doctor should be consulted about the best way to feed a baby if taking VIEKIRA.
- About all the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with VIEKIRA.
- A new medicine must not be started without telling a doctor. A doctor will provide instruction on whether it is safe to take VIEKIRA with other medicines.
- When VIEKIRA is finished, a doctor should be consulted on what to do if one of the usual medicines taken was stopped or if the dose changed during VIEKIRA treatment.
What are the common side effects of VIEKIRA?
For VIEKIRA used with ribavirin, side effects include tiredness, nausea, itching, skin reactions such as redness or rash, sleep problems, and feeling weak.
For VIEKIRA used without ribavirin, side effects include nausea, itching, and sleep problems.
These are not all of the possible side effects of VIEKIRA. A doctor should be notified if there is any side effect that is bothersome or that does not go away.
This is the most important information to know about VIEKIRA. For more information, talk to a doctor.
Source: AbbVie
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