EMA review into direct-acting antivirals used for treating chronic (long-term) hepatitis C (Daklinza, Exviera, Harvoni, Olysio, Sovaldi and Viekirax).
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has started a review of medicines known as direct-acting antivirals used for treating chronic (long-term) hepatitis C (an infectious disease that affects the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus). Direct-acting antivirals (Daklinza, Exviera, Harvoni, Olysio, Sovaldi and Viekirax) are important medicines for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and can be used without interferons, which are less well tolerated. Until recently, interferons were part of treatment regimens for hepatitis C. Interferons are known to act against both hepatitis B and C viruses, which may be present at the same time in some patients.
The review follows cases of hepatitis B re-activation in patients who have been infected with hepatitis B and C viruses, and who were treated with direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C. Hepatitis B re-activation refers to a return of active infection in a patient whose hepatitis B infection had been inactive. EMA will now assess the extent of hepatitis B re-activation in patients treated with direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C and evaluate whether any measures are needed to optimise the treatment.