Incivek :New FDA Approved Drug

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved new hepatitis C. drug Incivek (telaprevir) , which acts directly on virus protease enzyme-an enzyme responsible for virus C replication. This drug is the newest product of Vertex Pharmaceutical Incorporated.
Incivek clinical trial studies showed this new drug to be able to treat patients with liver damage or liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C. infection, who either have not been treated or were not cured by other treatments. Incivek used in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin which shortens the time needed for cure to half.



Hepatitis C. caused by hepatitis C virus infection and transmitted through the blood via needles sharing or having sex with an infected partner, It causes sever liver damage, cirrhosis and leads to liver failure or even liver cancer. Millions of people have the disease all over the world, many of them do not know they are infected.
Vertex's new drug will be supply in strength of 375 mg tablet, and prescribed at dose of 2 tablets to be taken 3 times a day for 12 weeks as triple therapy, then continue with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for 12-36 weeks.



The most common side effects of Incivek are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, itching and taste change. It also can cause more serious side effects include anemia, skin reactions, low red blood cell count. Incivek is contraindicated in pregnancy as it causes birth defects and even abortion may be occur.



Vertex Pharmaceutical Inc. is the manufacturer of th drug in collaboration with Tibotec BVBA and Mitsubishi Tanaba Pharma rights to commercialize telaprevir will be distributed as following :
  • Vertex Pharmaceutical inc. in North America.
  • Tibotec BVBA in Europe, South America, the Middle East and certain other countries.
  • Mitsubishi Tanaba in Japan and other far East countries.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is an international biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. Vertex's product includes drugs used in treatment of viral diseases, autoimmune diseases, cystic fibrosis, cancer, inflammation, epilepsy and pain.

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