Direct-acting antiviral agents used to treat patients with the hepatitis C virus are not associated with higher rates of adverse liver, kidney, and cardiovascular events, according to Kaiser Permanente-led research published June 7 in JAMA Network Open.
This research contributes to the literature on the safety of a newer class of medications for treating hepatitis C virus, according to the study’s lead author Elizabeth A. McGlynn, PhD, vice president for Kaiser Permanente Research and executive director of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Effectiveness & Safety Research.
“We were able to look at multiple adverse events in a geographically and demographically diverse population and found no evidence that the drugs were associated with higher event rates,” noted senior author David R. Nelson, MD, director of the UF CTSI. “This study should provide reassurance to patients and clinicians who might be concerned about the safety of this class of medications.”
CTSI co-director Elizabeth Shenkman, Ph.D., was also an author on the study.
In addition to Kaiser Permanente, the study was also conducted through OneFlorida, whose coordinating center is housed within the UF CTSI and whose partners provide care to more than 15 million Floridians.
Read the full release from Kaiser here.