What has NICE said?
Elbasvir–grazoprevir (Zepatier) is recommended as a possible treatment for adults with some types (called genotypes) of chronic hepatitis C. It is sometimes taken with ribavirin. See table 1.
Table 1 Elbasvir–grazoprevir with or without ribavirin for adults with chronic hepatitis C
|
Type of hepatitis C |
Treatment recommended by NICE |
Length of treatment |
|
1a |
Elbasvir–grazoprevir |
12 weeks. |
|
Elbasvir–grazoprevir and ribavirin |
16 weeks may be considered if, at the start of treatment, the amount of virus in the blood is high or if the virus might affect how well elbasvir works. |
|
|
1b |
Elbasvir–grazoprevir |
12 weeks. |
|
4 |
Elbasvir–grazoprevir |
12 weeks. |
|
Elbasvir–grazoprevir and ribavirin |
16 weeks may be considered if, at the start of treatment, the amount of virus in the blood is high. |
If you have genotype 1 or 4 chronic hepatitis C, and your healthcare team thinks that elbasvir–grazoprevir is the right treatment, you should be able to have it on the NHS.
Elbasvir–grazoprevir should be available on the NHS within 3 months.
The condition and the treatment
Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver that is caused by the hepatitis C virus. Some people who are infected with the hepatitis C virus get rid of it quickly without treatment but most people develop a long-lasting infection; this is called chronic hepatitis C. People who have chronic hepatitis C may feel well for many years, but the virus causes damage to their liver later and can make them feel ill.
Elbasvir–grazoprevir is a tablet that contains 2 drugs (elbasvir and grazoprevir), and is used to treat genotypes 1 and 4 of the hepatitis C virus. It is sometimes taken with another drug, called ribavirin, and can get rid of the virus in people who have never had treatment or who had treatment before that didn't get rid of the virus.
NHS Choices may be a good place to find out more.
These organisations can give you advice and support:
-
British Liver Trust, 01425 481 320
-
The Hepatitis C Trust, 020 7089 6221
-
HIV-i-Base, 0808 800 6013
-
Liver4Life, 0800 074 3494
-
Terrence Higgins Trust, 0808 802 1221
NICE is not responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information or advice provided by these organisations.