Haematological Effects of Antiviral Drugs for Hepatitis C Virus

Abstract

he availability of highly effective all-oral, interferon free, medications for patients with chronic HCV infection has transformed the treatment options for infected patients and most patients can now achieve viral clearance. Recently, the emergence of DAAs, such as Asunaprevir/daclatasvir, Elbasvir/Grazoprevir, and Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir, has increased cure rates and treatment safety, with more than 95% efficiency, few adverse effects, and a short treatment time of 8–12 weeks. Despite the overall success, antiviral treatment of certain groups of patients remains challenging. Even if severe side effects are rare, they are not completely absent especially in patients with advanced liver disease in whom the usage of ribavirin (RBV) is still recommended. Low rates of adverse effects that are secondary to DAA have been reported in controlled studies; however, real world-studies have disclosed emerging toxicities and drug-drug interactions in special populations. The aim of our study was to study the hematological side effects of usage of new antiviral drugs (sofosbuvir, daclatasvir) those have been used for treatment of Hepatitis C viral infection.