Telaprevir is a peptidomimetic inhibitor of hepatitis C virus protease.
Physicians prescribe the antiviral medication telaprevir in conjunction with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for the treatment of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The HCV drug not only increases the likelihood of disabling the virus but also may decrease the amount of time patients require treatment. The treatment regimen may cause anemia and typically produces flu-like symptoms. Telaprevir interacts with many prescribed medications.
Telaprevir is a protease inhibitor antiviral medication that interferes with the NS3/4A serine protease. This enzyme is responsible for protein maturity and protein adhesion. When these processes are inhibited, the virus cannot replicate. Genotype 1 hepatitis C virus is the most common strain of the disease and is also most resistant to treatment. Treating HCV does not completely eliminate the virus from the body. The medications, however, usually decrease the viral load to the point where the infection becomes undetectable.
A labelled peptidomimetic inhibitor of hepatitis C virus protease.
Conventional therapy typically involved a combination regimen of peginterferon alfa and ribavirin taken for 24 to 48 weeks. Some patients experience difficulty adhering to the treatment as prescribed because of the length of therapy. Other patients discontinue therapy because of the side effects associated with the medications. Of the individuals adhering to the prescribed therapy, up to one half experienced a resurgence of the virus.