elbasvir + grazoprevir at a glance
Medicine class
Direct-acting antiviral combining an NS5A inhibitor and an NS3/4A protease inhibitor.
Main use
Chronic hepatitis C, principally genotypes 1 and 4.
Food
May be taken with or without food.
Administration
Swallow the film-coated tablet whole; do not chew, crush or split it.
Kidney impairment
May be used in renal impairment, including during dialysis, after specialist assessment.
What is elbasvir + grazoprevir used for?
Licensed uses include:
Chronic hepatitis C in adults.
Chronic hepatitis C in patients aged 12 years or older who weigh at least 30 kg.
Clinical activity is established principally for genotypes 1 and 4; efficacy has not been demonstrated for genotypes 2, 3, 5 or 6.
How does elbasvir + grazoprevir work?
Elbasvir blocks the hepatitis C NS5A protein, disrupting viral RNA replication and assembly. Grazoprevir blocks the NS3/4A protease needed to produce mature viral proteins. Together they suppress production of new virus.
elbasvir + grazoprevir preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg + 100 mg
How to take elbasvir + grazoprevir
Follow the specialist hepatitis team’s instructions.
Swallow the tablet whole with water.
Take it with or without food.
Do not chew, crush or split it.
elbasvir + grazoprevir side effects
Common or expected effects
- Tiredness or weakness
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal pain
- Itching
- Dizziness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Muscle or joint pain
- Reduced appetite
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms of liver inflammation, including jaundice, pale stools, marked fatigue or weakness, reduced appetite, nausea or vomiting, require prompt assessment.
- People using diabetes medicines may develop symptomatic low blood glucose as glucose control improves.
elbasvir + grazoprevir in pregnancy
Human evidence is inadequate. Use should be considered only when expected benefit justifies potential fetal risk, following specialist discussion. If ribavirin is also prescribed, its strict pregnancy-prevention requirements apply.
elbasvir + grazoprevir while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether elbasvir or grazoprevir passes into human milk. The benefits to parent and child should be weighed when deciding whether to pause breastfeeding or use another treatment approach.
elbasvir + grazoprevir interactions
All medicines, supplements and recreational drugs should be reviewed before treatment.
Rifampicin
Contraindicated because it may cause unsafe grazoprevir exposure or reduce antiviral effectiveness.
Carbamazepine, phenytoin, modafinil, bosentan and St John’s wort
Contraindicated because they can substantially reduce antiviral concentrations and effectiveness.
Atazanavir, darunavir, lopinavir, saquinavir or tipranavir
Contraindicated because they can substantially increase grazoprevir exposure.
Common questions about elbasvir + grazoprevir
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can it be taken with food?
Yes. It may be taken with or without food.
Can the tablet be crushed or split?
No. Swallow it whole and tell the prescriber or pharmacist if swallowing is difficult.
Can it be used with kidney disease or dialysis?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.