Enhanced adherence to HCV therapy with higher dose ribavirin formulation: final analyses from the ADHERE registry.
BACKGROUND
Poor adherence to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment is an important cause of treatment failure. Traditional ribavirin 200 mg (RBV) treatment is associated with a significant daily pill burden. RibaPak (RBP), available as 400 mg and 600 mg ribavirin tablets, offers simplified dosing at two pills daily.


OBJECTIVE
To examine whether improved adherence was associated with RBP vs. RBV.


METHODS
Accurate Dosing in Hepatitis C: Examining the RibaPak Experience (ADHERE) was a U.S., multi-centre, prospective registry capturing data on adherence with RBP vs. RBV in adults with HCV. Adherence was measured by the proportion of subjects remaining on treatment at weeks 4, 12 and 24; by pill counts; and by the proportion of subjects who took > or = 80% of their prescribed dose.


RESULTS
A total of 503 patients (RBP = 346, RBV = 157) from 33 sites were included. A greater proportion of RBV vs. RBP subjects prematurely discontinued treatment. At 12 and 24 weeks, a greater proportion of RBP vs. RBV subjects took > or = 80% of their prescribed doses (P < 0.05). For patients who remained on treatment, the mean milligrams missed per day was significantly greater for RBV vs. RBP at 24 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
First line treatment with RBP may offer the best prospect for less discontinuation and improved treatment adherence.
Alam
I
I
Austin Hepatitis Center, Austin, TX, USA.
Stainbrook
T
T
Cecil
B
B
Kistler
K D
KD
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin