DDInter1031 DDInter1694
Ledipasvir is a direct acting antiviral (DAA) medication used as part of combination therapy to treat chronic Hepatitis C, an infectious liver disease caused by infection with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). HCV is a single-stranded RNA virus that is categorized into nine distinct genotypes, with genotype 1 being the most common in the United States, and affecting 72% of all chronic HCV patients. Treatment options for chronic Hepatitis C have advanced significantly since 2011, with the development of Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) such as ledipasvir. More specifically, ledipasvir is an inhibitor of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Non-Structural Protein 5A (NS5A), which is required for viral RNA replication and assembly of HCV virions. Although its exact mechanism of action is unknown, it is postulated to prevent hyperphosphorylation of NS5A which is required
Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate is approved as the trade product Lokelma developed by AstraZeneca - an insoluble, non-absorbed sodium zirconium silicate, formulated as a powder for oral suspension that acts as a highly selective potassium removing agent. It is administered orally and is odorless, tasteless, and stable at room temperature. Approval of the medication is supported by data from three double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and two open-label trials which showed that the onset of action was approximately 1.0 hour and the median time to achieving normal potassium levels in the blood was 2.2 hours, with 92% of patients achieving normal potassium levels within 48 hours following administration. The treatment effect was maintained for up to 12 months.