Daclatasvir is an antiviral medication used primarily in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. It acts as a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agent and is typically used in combination with other antiviral medications to enhance its efficacy.
Mechanism of Action
Inhibition of NS5A Protein Function:
Daclatasvir targets the non-structural 5A protein (NS5A), a multifunctional protein essential for HCV RNA replication and assembly of the virus.
By binding to NS5A, Daclatasvir disrupts its role in the replication complex, leading to suppression of viral RNA synthesis.
Prevention of Viral Replication:
Interferes with the replication process of the HCV, reducing the viral load within the patient's body.
When used as part of combination therapy, Daclatasvir significantly increases the sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, which is a measure of the effectiveness of HCV therapy.
Resistance Barrier:
Daclatasvir has been observed to have a high barrier to resistance, making it effective against various genotypes of HCV.
