Incivek™ (telaprevir) and Hepatitis C

Does the dosage and administration of Incivek™ (telaprevir) differ for various people?

Yes, according to Vertex, the dosage and administration of Incivek™ differs for those that have not had previous treatment or had been treated but had relapsed versus those that were partial responders to previous treatment or null responders.

For patients that have not had previous treatment or those that have relapsed after treatment:

• Begin triple therapy of Incivek™, peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.
• Depending on HCV-RNA levels at weeks 4 and 12 of treatment, the following would take place:
  • If HCV-RNA levels are undetectable at week 4, continue triple therapy to week 12. If HCV-RNA levels are undetectable at week 12, continue dual therapy of just peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for an additional 12 weeks.
  • If HCV-RNA levels are detectable (less than 1000 UL/mL) at week 4 and/or week 12, continue triple therapy to week 12 followed by dual therapy of just peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for an additional 36 weeks.

For patients that were prior partial responders or null responders to treatment:

• Begin triple therapy of Incivek™, peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for 12 weeks.
• After 12 weeks of triple therapy, continue with just peginteferon alfa and ribavirin for an additional 36 weeks.

However, if HCV-RNA results at weeks 4 or 12 are greater than or equal to 1000 IU/mL or patients have confirmed detectable HCV-RNA levels at week 24, therapy should be discontinued.

Last Updated: July 2014