Share

FDA approves Zepatier for Hepatitis C

accreditation
iStock

Hepatitis C causes liver inflammation, which can lead to liver failure. Most infected people have no symptoms until the onset of liver damage, which could take several years, the FDA said in a news release.

Possible symptoms include a yellowing of the eyes and skin known as jaundice, bleeding or liver cancer.

Genotype 1 is among the most common forms of hepatitis C, while genotype 4 is among the rarest, the agency said. Some 3 million Americans are believed infected with a form of the virus.

Read: Gene predicts liver treatment

Zepatier, sometimes paired with another antiviral drug, ribavirin, was evaluated in 12-to-16-week clinical studies involving nearly 1,400 people. At the end of the studies, between 94 percent and 100 percent of infected patients had no detected virus in the blood, the FDA said.

The most common side effects of Zepatier included fatigue, headache and nausea. The drug's label includes a boxed warning that it could cause a spike in liver enzymes. As a result, the FDA said blood work should be obtained before starting therapy, and at certain intervals during treatment.

Zepatier should not be given to people with moderate-to-severe liver impairment, the agency added.

The drug is marketed by Merck & Co., based in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.

Read more:

New hepatitis C drug can slow heart rate

Health care workers more likely to get hepatitis C

Antihistamine blocks hepatitis C infection

Image: Hepatitis written from iStock

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE