Source University of Colorado Denver Schools of Pharmacy, Aurora, CO. jennifer.kiser@ucdenver.edu.

Boceprevir and telaprevir, when added to pegylated interferon and ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection, increase the rates of sustained virologic response in treatment naïve persons to approximately 70%. While these agents represent an important advance in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus, they present new treatment challenges to the Hepatology community. Boceprevir and telaprevir are both substrates and inhibitors of the hepatic enzyme cytochrome P450 3A and the drug transporter, P-glycoprotein, which predisposes these agents to many drug interactions. Identification and appropriate management of potential drug interactions with telaprevir and boceprevir is critical for optimizing therapeutic outcomes during hepatitis C treatment. This review highlights the pharmacologic characteristics and drug interaction potential of boceprevir and telaprevir and provides guidance on the management of drug interactions with these agents.