[priyasaravanan_1406]

The new drug Olysio developed by Johnson and Johnson to fight the infectious disease chronic hepatitis C is approved by Food and Drug Administration on 22nd November 2013.

Hepatitis C is a viral disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus which belongs to the genus Hepacivirus categorized under the Flaviviridae family. Liver is the primary organ affected by Hepatitis C virus infection and the disease is either acute or chronic. But it is evident that 80% of the infected individuals develop chronic hepatitis C resulting in cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis C viruses are of different genotypes classified accordingly from genotype 1 to genotype 7. However it is estimated the about 70% of the Hepatitis C disease is due to the infection by the Hepatitis virus C of the genotype 1. The rate of virus replication in an infected individual results in the production of about 10^12 viral units per day.

The new drug Olysio also called as simeprevir approved by FDA inhibits the protease enzyme essential for the synthesis of a protein required by the Hepatitis C virus to replicate inside the infected individual and hence termed as protease inhibitor. The new drug Olysio restricts the multiplication of the Hepatitis C virus by blocking the synthesis of the protein used by the virus thus exhibiting control over the disease. Olysio is recommended to be used as a combination drug.

Combination: Olysio + pegylated interferon + ribavirin
To Treat: Hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection

Patient category:
Individuals detected with chronic hepatitis C disease with no prior treatment
Individuals detected with chronic hepatitis C disease who have received prior available treatment for the same.

Dosage: Once a day along with the above mentioned combination

The reduced effect of the drug Olysio along with the combinations was observed in chronic Hepatitis C patients with Q80K genotype 1a (polymorphism). Hence it is suggested for chronic hepatitis c patients to screen for the presence of the Q80K genotype 1a before initiating the treatment with the drug Olysio. Also the data on safety and efficacy of the drug in children below the age group of 18 is not available.
The results of the drug study showing complete recovery of patients from the disease chronic Hepatitis C makes Olysio a promising therapy against the disease.

Reference
http://www.4-traders.com/JOHNSON--JOHNSO...ic-1748941
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/hea...95971.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-22...-pill.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis_C
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/...91621.html