A Four-in-One Hit to Hep C

Viekira XR approved as once-daily treatment for hepatitis C

(RxWiki News) The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a tablet that contains four medications in one tablet to treat hepatitis C.

That tablet is called Viekira XR, and it contains dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir. Viekira XR is approved to treat those with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection that is chronic (lasts a long time). Viekira XR can be given with without ribavirin

Abbvie's hepatitis C medication is available as an extended-release tablet. The recommended dose is three tablets once a day, with a meal. Patients are not to drink alcohol within four hours of taking this medication. 

This approval comes after the approval of Viekira Pak in 2014. Viekira Pak and Viekira XR contain the same four medications but are different in how the medication is available and, therefore, differ in how you take the medication.

When taking Viekira Pak, you are to take two ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir tablets once daily in the morning and one dasabuvir tablet twice daily (morning and evening). 

Because Viekira XR tablets contain all four medications in one tablet, you simply have to take the medication once a day. 

Common side effects may include fatigue, nausea and itching. 

If you have moderate or severe liver dysfunction, this medication is not an option for you. This medication can interact with many medications. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter medications and herbal or nutritional supplements.

Review Date: 
July 27, 2016