n has not been studied in patients documented to be historical null responders (less than a 2-log10 HCV-RNA decline by treatment week 12) during prior therapy with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin. The clinical studies included subjects who were poorly interferon responsive. Subjects with less than 0.5-log10 HCV-RNA decline in viral load at Treatment Week 4 with peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin alone are predicted to have a null response (less than 2-log10 viral load decline at Treatment Week 12) to peginterferon alfa and ribavirin therapy [see Clinical Studies (14)].
Poorly interferon responsive patients who were treated with VICTRELIS in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin have a lower likelihood of achieving a sustained virologic response (SVR), and a higher rate of detection of resistance-associated substitutions upon treatment failure, compared to patients with a greater response to peginterferon alfa and ribavirin [see Microbiology (12.4) and Clinical Studies (14)].
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
VICTRELIS must be administered in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin. The dose of VICTRELIS is 800 mg (four 200-mg capsules) three times daily (every 7–9 hours) with food [a meal or light snack] (see Table 1). Refer to the peginterferon alfa and ribavirin Package Inserts for instructions on dosing.
The following dosing recommendations differ for some subgroups from the dosing studied in the Phase 3 trials [see Clinical Studies (14)]. Response-Guided Therapy (RGT) is recommended for most individuals, but longer dosing is recommended in targeted subgroups (e.g., patients with cirrhosis).
2.1VICTRELIS Combination Therapy: Patients Without Cirrhosis Who Are Previously Untreated or Who Are Previous Partial Responders or Relapsers to Interferon and Ribavirin Therapy
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Initiate therapy with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for 4 weeks (Treatment Weeks 1–4).
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Add VICTRELIS 800 mg (four 200-mg capsules) orally three times daily (every 7–9 hours) to peginterferon alfa and ribavirin regimen after 4 weeks of treatment. Based on the patient's HCV-RNA levels at Treatment Week (TW) 8, TW12 and TW24, use the following Response-Guided Therapy (RGT) guidelines to determine duration of treatment (see Table 1).
Table 1 Duration of Therapy Using Response-Guided Therapy (RGT) Guidelines in Patients Without Cirrhosis Who Are Previously Untreated or Who Are Previous Partial Responders or Relapsers to Interferon and Ribavirin Therapy
|
|
ASSESSMENT*
(HCV-RNA Results†) |
RECOMMENDATION |
|
|
At Treatment Week 8 |
At Treatment Week 24 |
|
|
|
Previously Untreated Patients |
Undetectable |
Un |
|
