Protease Inhibitors « Prosperity Specialty Pharmacy

In May 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first in a new class of medications for hepatitis C. These agents, known as protease inhibitors, are indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1. This medication class will change the lives of hepatitis C patients – significantly decreasing therapy time and nearly doubling cure rates.

The clinical pharmacists at Prosperity Specialty Pharmacy have put together a handy guide to help those preparing to start therapy with protease inhibitors. For a printable copy of this guide, please click here.

How do I take this medication?

Victrelis or Incivek is taken three times per day; 8 hours apart.
Victrelis: 4 pills per dose with food
Incivek: 2 pills per dose with high-fat food

What if I miss a dose?

Let your doctor or pharmacist know if you miss a dose.

With Victrelis:

If less than 2 hours before next dose, skip the missed dose.
Then resume normal schedule.
If more than 2 hours before next dose, take the missed dose with food. Then resume normal schedule.

With Incivek:

If less than 4 hours after a missed dose, take the missed dose with food. Then resume normal schedule.
If more than 4 hours after a missed dose, skip the dose. Then resume normal schedule

What foods can I eat with my medication?

Foods for Victrelis:
(does not have a fat content requirement)

Sweet potatoes
Eggs
Beans
Crackers
Fruits
Dry nuts
Vegetables / Salad
Breads / Cereal / Rice / Pasta
Beef / Chicken / Pork / Tofu
Fish
Milk / Yogurt / Cheese

Foods for Incivek:
(should have more than 20g of fat with each dose)

Nuts, cashews / pecans / almonds (1/3 cup)
Avocado (1 whole)
Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
Peanut butter (3 tablespoons)
Ice cream (1 cup)
American or cheddar cheese (2 oz)
Trail mix (1/2 cup)
Potato chips (2 oz)
Bagel with cream cheese (1)
Potato Salad (1 cup)
Muffins (1 muffin)

Patient Examples

Patient A
Joe is a businessman. He has had hepatitis C for 11 years and is now starting Incivek. To fit the regimen into his busy
lifestyle he takes his first dose at 6am with breakfast, the second dose after a 2pm meeting with lunch, and the third dose at 10pm with a snack before bed.

Patient B
Liz is a busy stay-at-home mom. She was recently diagnosed with hepatitis C and is now starting Victrelis. To fit the regimen into her busy lifestyle, she takes her first dose at 7am with breakfast, the second dose at 3pm with lunch when her kids come back from school, and the third dose at 11pm with a light snack before bed.