A hepatitis C medicine used in an older combination regimen
Dasabuvir
An older hepatitis C medicine used as part of a combination regimen, now largely superseded by simpler treatments.
What is Dasabuvir?
Dasabuvir is an older medicine for hepatitis C, a virus that infects the liver. It is a polymerase inhibitor (it blocks an enzyme the virus uses to copy itself) and was used as one part of a combination regimen, together with other medicines such as ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir. It is taken as a tablet by mouth. It can cause rises in liver enzymes, has many interactions with other medicines, and is not suitable for people with severe (decompensated) liver disease. It has now been largely superseded by simpler hepatitis C treatments.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Dasabuvir — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Dasabuvir is a direct-acting antiviral for hepatitis C, working as a polymerase inhibitor that blocks an enzyme the virus needs to copy its genetic material. It was not used alone but as one component of a multi-drug regimen, taken together with ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir (and sometimes another medicine), as a course of treatment. It is taken by mouth as a tablet. It is an older regimen that has largely been replaced by newer, simpler hepatitis C treatments, so it is now rarely used in the UK. It was prescribed and supervised by a specialist.
How it works
To multiply, hepatitis C must copy its genetic material using an enzyme called a polymerase. Dasabuvir blocks this enzyme, so the virus cannot make new copies of itself. Because tackling a single step is not enough on its own, it was combined with other medicines that block different parts of the virus's life cycle. Together, this multi-drug regimen attacked the virus from several directions at once, giving a good chance of clearing the infection while making resistance less likely.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
An older hepatitis C medicine used as part of a multi-drug regimen, now largely replaced by simpler treatments in the UK.
Practical use
How to take Dasabuvir
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth as prescribed, with food, together with the other medicines in the regimen.
- Take all the medicines in the combination as directed, since dasabuvir was only used as part of a multi-drug regimen.
- Finish the whole course as instructed to give the best chance of clearing the virus.
- Give your team a full list of all your medicines, as this regimen interacts with very many of them.
- Tell your team about any liver problems, as it is not suitable for severe (decompensated) liver disease.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Dasabuvir
Advantages
- Could help clear hepatitis C as part of an all-oral combination regimen.
- Taken as a tablet by mouth.
- Offered an effective option before the newest, simpler treatments became available.
Disadvantages
- Used only as part of a multi-drug regimen, so several medicines had to be taken together.
- Can cause rises in liver enzymes and is not suitable for severe (decompensated) liver disease.
- Interacts with a very large number of other medicines and has now been largely superseded.
Practical use
Good to know
The key things to know about dasabuvir relate to how it was used and its safety. It was always part of a multi-drug regimen (with ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir), so the whole combination had to be taken together and the course completed. It can cause rises in liver enzymes, which are watched for with blood tests, and it is not suitable for people with severe, advanced liver damage (decompensated cirrhosis), where it can be harmful. Because the regimen included ritonavir, a strong booster, it interacts with a very large number of other medicines, so a careful, full medicines review is essential. Overall it is an older regimen that has been superseded by simpler, better-tolerated treatments, so it is rarely chosen now.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to dasabuvir or the other parts of the regimen should not take it.
- It should not be used in people with severe, advanced liver damage (decompensated cirrhosis).
- It should not be used with the many medicines that interact with the regimen, so a full review is essential.
Monitoring
- Blood tests to check the hepatitis C response and liver function, including liver enzymes.
- Careful review of all other medicines before and during treatment for interactions.
- Closer watching in people with more advanced liver disease.
Side effects
- Tiredness and nausea.
- Itching or rash in some people.
- Rises in liver enzymes seen on blood tests.
- Rarely, a significant worsening of liver function, especially where the liver is already badly damaged.
Key interactions
- Because the regimen included ritonavir, it interacts with a very large number of other medicines.
- Many medicines must be stopped, changed or carefully timed during treatment, so a full review is essential.
- Medicines that strongly affect its levels, such as some epilepsy drugs and St John's wort, can stop it working.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth, as part of a combination regimen.
Answers
Dasabuvir: frequently asked questions
What is dasabuvir used for?
It is an older hepatitis C medicine used as one part of a combination regimen, together with ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir, to help clear the infection.
Why was it used with other medicines?
Each medicine blocks a different part of the virus's life cycle, so taking them together was far more effective and reduced the chance of resistance.
Why does it interact with so many medicines?
The regimen included ritonavir, a strong booster that changes how the body handles many other drugs, so a full medicines review was essential.
Is it safe for everyone with liver problems?
No. It is not suitable for people with severe, advanced liver damage (decompensated cirrhosis), where it can be harmful.
Is it still commonly used?
No. It has been largely superseded by newer, simpler hepatitis C treatments and is rarely chosen now.
The wider class
About Direct-acting antiviral (hepatitis C, polymerase inhibitor)
Dasabuvir belongs to the direct-acting antiviral (hepatitis c, polymerase inhibitor) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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