Zepatier - Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Zepatier is a prescription medication used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults. It is a combination of two antiviral drugs, elbasvir and grazoprevir, that work together to prevent the virus from multiplying in the body.
Category
Drug
Where to get
Available with a doctor's prescription at pharmacies.
Applicable for
Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Zepatier FAQ


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What is Zepatier used for?

Zepatier is used to treat an infection caused by HCV genotypes 1 and 4. In this situation, a genotype is a strain of a virus. Zepatier contains two active drug ingredients: elbasvir and grazoprevir. Zepatier belongs to a class of drugs called direct-acting antivirals. (A class of drugs is a group of medications that work together in a similar way.)

How is Zepatier used to treat chronic hepatitis C (HCV)?

Zepatier is used to treat chronic hepatitis C (HCV) in adults and children 12 years of age and older or weighing at least 66 pounds (30 kilograms). This medicine is sometimes given together with another drug called ribavirin. Zepatier treats specific genotypes (1 or 4) of HCV infection, and only in certain people.

Is Zepatier a generic drug?

Zepatier contains two active drug ingredients: elbasvir and grazoprevir. Zepatier is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Can Zepatier cause hepatitis?

But it isn’t known how often this side effect may have happened in clinical studies of Zepatier. In some cases, an active HBV infection can cause liver failure or hepatitis that’s sudden and severe. In rare cases, the infection can lead to death. jaundice (yellowish color of your skin and the white of your eyes)

What are the side effects of Zepatier?

ZEPATIER can cause serious side effects, including, Hepatitis B virus reactivation: Before starting treatment with ZEPATIER, your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for hepatitis B virus infection.

How long does Zepatier® last?

The usual duration of treatment is between 12 and 16 weeks. Do not stop taking Zepatier® without discussion with your doctor or liver nurse specialist. You need to complete the full course of treatment to ensure the best chance of treating your hepatitis C virus infection.

Zepatier References

If you want to know more about Zepatier, consider exploring links below:

What Is Zepatier

  1. https://www.drugs.com/zepatier.html
  2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/zepatier
  3. https://www.medicine.com/drug/zepatier
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbasvir/grazoprevir
  5. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-171068/zepatier-oral/details
  6. https://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/publication/zepatier/
  7. https://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/z/zepatier/zepatier_ppi.pdf
  8. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/zepatier
  9. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-zepatier-treatment-chronic-hepatitis-c-genotypes-1-and-4

Zepatier Information

  1. https://www.anthc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Information-Packet-Zepatier.pdf
  2. https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/elbasvirgrazoprevir-zepatier/
  3. https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/drugs/elbasvir-grazoprevir/patient

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