Safety and tolerability of elbasvir/grazoprevir in chronic hepatitis C virus therapy: integrated analysis from clinical trials. Journal of viral hepatitis Nangia, G., Vierling, J. M., Kwo, P., Brown, D. D., Klopfer, S. O., Robertson, M. N., Haber, B. A., Reddy, K. R. 2020

Abstract

Direct-acting antiviral treatments for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are generally safe; however, understanding the safety profile of each regimen is essential for their continued use. Safety data were pooled from 12 clinical trials of elbasvir/grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) that enrolled adult participants with HCV infection. Pooled analyses are presented for participants receiving EBR/GZR for 12 weeks and those receiving EBR/GZR plus ribavirin (RBV) for 16-18 weeks. Safety data are also presented for participants with comorbidities receiving EBR/GZR for 12 weeks in individual clinical trials (chronic kidney disease [CKD] stage 4/5, inherited blood disorders [IBLD], or receiving opioid agonist therapy [OAT]). Among 1743 participants receiving EBR/GZR for 12 weeks, 1068 (61.3%) reported =1 adverse event (AE) and 491 had AEs (28.2%) considered drug-related. The most frequent AEs were headache (10.6%), fatigue (8.7%), nasopharyngitis (5.8%), nausea (5.1%), and diarrhea (5.0%). Serious AEs were reported by 37 participants (2.1%), and 12 (0.7%) discontinued treatment due to an AE. In populations with CKD 4/5 or IBLD or receiving OAT, safety was similar in participants receiving EBR/GZR for 12 weeks and those receiving placebo. Some AEs occurred at higher frequencies in participants receiving RBV compared with those receiving EBR/GZR alone: fatigue (32.7% vs 8.7%); headache (21.6% vs 10.6%); and nausea (15.8% vs 5.1%). Safety was similar in participants with and those without cirrhosis. Grade 3/4 alanine aminotransferase elevations were reported in 0.7% participants.EBR/GZR is a safe treatment option for individuals with HCV genotype (GT)1 or GT4 infections, even those with challenging comorbidities such as CKD or IBLD and in those receiving OAT.

View details for DOI 10.1111/jvh.13357

View details for PubMedID 32594612