Simeprevir, also known as TMC435 or Olysio, is an antiviral drug used to treat patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It was developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2013. Simeprevir belongs to a class of drugs called protease inhibitors that block the activity of the HCV NS3/4A protease enzyme, preventing the virus from replicating and leading to improved outcomes for patients.
Chemical Name
The chemical name of simeprevir is (2R,3aR,6aR)-N-[(1R,2R)-2-[5-(cyclopropylamino)-1H-indol-2-yl]-1-{[(1-methylcyclopropyl)sulfonyl]carbamoyl}propyl]-5,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuro[3,4-d][1,3]dioxole-2-carboxamide.
Molecular Formula
The molecular formula of simeprevir is C38H47N5O7S.
Formula Weight
The formula weight of simeprevir is 749.88 g/mol.
CAS No
The CAS number of simeprevir is 923604-59-5.
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Health Benefits of Simeprevir
Simeprevir has been shown to improve sustained virologic response rates in patients with chronic HCV infection. In clinical trials, patients treated with simeprevir plus peginterferon alfa and ribavirin had significantly higher sustained virologic response rates compared to those treated with placebo plus peginterferon alfa and ribavirin. Sustained virologic response rates were also higher in patients who had failed previous HCV therapy. These results demonstrate the potential of simeprevir to cure chronic HCV infection in both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients.
Potential Effects
Simeprevir is a direct-acting antiviral that specifically targets the HCV NS3/4A protease enzyme, which is essential for viral replication. By blocking the activity of this enzyme, simeprevir can prevent the virus from replicating and spreading throughout the body. Simeprevir is highly effective at reducing HCV viral load, leading to improved outcomes for patients.
Product Mechanism
HCV is a blood-borne virus that primarily infects liver cells. The virus enters the cell and uses its own RNA to make copies of itself, creating new viral particles that can infect other cells. The NS3/4A protease enzyme is essential for viral replication, as it cleaves the viral polyprotein into individual proteins needed for viral assembly. Simeprevir is a selective inhibitor of the NS3/4A protease enzyme, blocking its activity and thereby preventing the virus from replicating.
Safety
Like all medications, simeprevir has some safety concerns. The most common side effects of simeprevir include fatigue, headache, nausea, pruritus, and rash. More serious adverse reactions may occur, such as severe allergic reactions, liver damage, and depression. Patients taking simeprevir should be monitored closely for these potential side effects.
Side Effects
Simeprevir can cause a range of side effects, including:
Dosing Information
The recommended dose of simeprevir is 150 mg orally once daily. Simeprevir should be taken with food. The duration of treatment with simeprevir will depend on the individual patient's HCV genotype, prior treatment history, and other factors.
Conclusion
Simeprevir is a promising antiviral drug that has demonstrated significant benefits in the treatment of chronic HCV infection. As a direct-acting antiviral that specifically targets the HCV NS3/4A protease enzyme, simeprevir has been shown to prevent the virus from replicating and leading to improved outcomes for patients. However, like all medications, simeprevir has some safety concerns and potential side
