paritaprevir

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum: 

Action: paritaprevir is a direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) that specifically targets the hepatitis C virus. Its main mode of action is to prevent the non-structural protein 3/4A (NS3/4A) protease from doing its function, which is necessary for the replication of viruses. By inhibiting this protease, paritaprevir disrupts the HCV’s ability to replicate and produce functional viral particles. This ultimately leads to a reduction in viral load within the patient’s body and, in many cases, results in the clearance of the virus. 

Spectrum: paritaprevir is primarily effective against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is specifically designed to target specific genotypes of the virus. It is most used in combination with other DAAs, such as ritonavir-boosted paritaprevir and ombitasvir, as well as other drugs like dasabuvir and ribavirin, to create a comprehensive antiviral regimen. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined  

Itching or rash 

Headache 

Fever 

Dizziness 

Dark urine 

Abdominal or stomach pain 

Chills 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning:  

None

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution:  

Hypersensitivity: Individuals with a known hypersensitivity or allergy to paritaprevir or any of its components should not use this medication. 

Concomitant Use with Certain Medications: paritaprevir should not be used with certain medications that may interact negatively with it. It is important to check with a healthcare provider to determine potential drug interactions and whether the combination of drugs is safe. 

Severe Liver Impairment: Patients with severe liver impairment may require dose adjustments or alternative treatments, as paritaprevir’s safety and efficacy in this population have not been well-established. 

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: The safety of paritaprevir during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not well-established, and the potential risks to the fetus or the infant are unclear. Pregnant or lactating individuals are advised to seek guidance from their medical professionals to evaluate the potential advantages and drawbacks prior to considering the use of paritaprevir. 

Severe Renal Impairment: Patients with severe kidney (renal) impairment may require dose adjustments or alternative treatments. The use of paritaprevir should be carefully considered in these cases. 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy warnings:     

Pregnancy category: N/A 

Lactation: Excreted into human milk is unknown 

Pregnancy Categories:         

Category A: Studies that were well-controlled and met expectations revealed no risk to the fetus in either the first or second trimester. 

Category B: There were a lack of studies on pregnant women and no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal experiments.   

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.   

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: paritaprevir is direct-acting antiviral drugs. It is primarily used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. 

Pharmacodynamics:  

paritaprevir is a potent inhibitor of the HCV non-structural protein 3/4A (NS3/4A) protease. It works by interfering with the viral replication and assembly processes, thereby preventing the virus from multiplying in the liver.  

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

paritaprevir is taken orally and is generally well-absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. 

Distribution 

It is highly protein-bound in the blood, primarily binding to human serum albumin. 

Metabolism 

paritaprevir is metabolized primarily in the liver via the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 enzyme. 

Excretion and Elimination 

The primary route of excretion for the drug and its metabolites is through the feces. 

Adminstartion

Administration:  

paritaprevir is often taken orally in tablet form. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water and can usually be taken with or without food. It’s essential to take the medication as directed by your healthcare provider and at the same time each day to ensure its effectiveness. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: paritaprevir  

Why do we use paritaprevir?  

paritaprevir is commonly used in combination with other direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) to treat chronic hepatitis C infections caused by specific genotypes of the hepatitis C virus. The combination therapy can significantly improve the cure rates and reduce the duration of treatment compared to older regimens. 

paritaprevir is often used in combination with other DAAs, such as ombitasvir and ritonavir, to target HCV genotypes 1 and 4 specifically. The choice of combination therapy may vary depending on the genotype of the HCV infection.