TUESDAY, Nov. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Olysio (simeprevir) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic hepatitis C infection in adults.
The new drug was approved to be used with two other antiviral medications to treat people who have cirrhosis but whose liver is still functioning, people who haven't been treated for hepatitis C previously, or for people who haven't responded to other therapies, the FDA said. The new drug should only be used in combination with peginterferon-alfa and ribavirin, and should not be administered by itself, the agency warned.
Olysio, combined with the other two drugs, was evaluated in clinical studies involving more than 2,000 people. Common side effects included rash, itching, and nausea. Noting the potential for serious reactions involving light exposure, users are advised to avoid the sun and to use sunscreen and other protective measures during treatment, the FDA said.
Olysio is marketed by Raritan, N.J.-based Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
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