What is Epclusa?
Epclusa is a mixture of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir. Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir are antiviral medicines that prevent the hepatitis C virus (HCV) from multiplying throughout your body.Epclusa can be used for treating the chronic form of hepatitis C in adults and young children (dosage is determined by weight). It is often prescribed along with an antiviral medicine known as ribavirin for those who suffer from advanced cirrhosis.Epclusa addresses specific strains of hepatitis C and is only effective for certain individuals. Make sure you only take the medicines recommended for you. Make sure you do not share your medication with anyone else.Epclusa is often prescribed to those who also suffer from HIV.This medication does not offer a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Side effects of Epclusa
Take immediate medical attention. If you notice symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction, such as hives or breathing difficulties and swelling of your lips, face, and throat,
Contact your doctor immediately in the event of any recent or deteriorating symptoms, like:
- Right-sided upper stomach pain
- Loss of appetite, vomiting, or feeling unwell
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
If you are also taking an anti-cardiovascular medicine known as amiodarone, taking amiodarone along with Epclusa can result in dangerous reactions to your heart. Take immediate medical assistance.If you are taking this medicine and have:
- Extremely slow heartbeats, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath;
Memory problems, confusion memory issues, confusion
fatigue, extreme tiredness, faintness, a lightheaded feeling (like you're about to be able to pass out).
Common Epclusa side effects can include:
- Headache, tiredness;
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- The red blood cell count is low (anemia) in patients with cirrhosis, dull skin, fatigue, being lightheaded or exhausted, and cold feet and hands.
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Cautions
If you've suffered from hepatitis A, Epclusa can cause this disease to recur or become worse. Contact your physician if you aren't feeling well and suffer from right-sided stomach discomfort, vomiting, weight loss, or the appearance of yellowing on the eyes or skin.
Take note of the medication guide or patient's guideline that comes with every medication you take included in the combination treatment. Do not alter your dosages or schedule of medication without consulting your physician.Epclusa can be utilized in conjunction with ribavirin. Ribavirin could result in birth defects or even death for a baby who is not yet born. Avoid ribavirin use in the case of pregnancy, or if you're male and your partner in love is expecting. Make sure you use the most effective methods to avoid pregnancy while taking these medications together. You should use them for at least 6 months after the treatment has finished.
Prior to using this drug
Epclusa is often employed in conjunction with other antiviral medicines. Review the medication's guidelines or patient instructions included with each medication that you take as part of the combination treatment.When you take Epclusa together with other medications, inform your doctor of all medical conditions you have, including if you're pregnant or nursing.To be sure Epclusa is appropriate for you, consult your physician if you suffer from:
- Hepatitis B;
- Liver disorders other than hepatitis C;
- Kidney disease (or if you're taking dialysis)
diabetes; - HIV (human immunodeficiency virus);
- If you take blood thinners (Warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven) and you are undergoing regular "INR" or prothrombin time tests,
Epclusa can be employed in conjunction with ribavirin. Both females and males who take ribavirin need to utilize birth control to prevent pregnancies. Ribavirin can harm an unborn baby if the mother or father is taking the drug. Use birth control at least 6 months following your last dose of the drug ribavirin. Contact your doctor immediately in the event of a pregnancy.Check with your physician to see if it is safe to breastfeed while taking these medications.
Similar or related drugs
Harvoni, Sovaldi, Vosevi, Mavyret, sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and ribavirin
How do I take Epclusa?
You should take Epclusa exactly as directed by your physician. Follow the directions on your prescription label, and go through all the medication guides or instructions sheets.Eat with or without.Put the oral pellets in your mouth and swallow them without chewing. Follow the instructions on Use regarding mixing the pellets into food items to enhance the flavor. Consult your physician or pharmacist for assistance.Doses are determined by the weight of children and teens. The dosage can change as the child loses or gains weight.If you've suffered from hepatitis B before, it might return or become worse. It is possible that you will require tests for liver function when you are taking this medication and for a period of time after stopping.You shouldn't stop taking Epclusa in a sudden manner, or your hepatitis C may become more difficult to treat with antiviral medications.Take all medicines as directed. Don't alter your dosage or stop using medication without consulting your doctor. Stay under the supervision of a physician.Storage Epclusa is inside the container in its original packaging at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
Info on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Hepatitis C:
Sofosbuvir 400 mg and velpatasvir 100 mg every day orally
Recommended Regimen and Duration of Therapy:
Therapy-naive and therapy-experienced, without cirrhosis and with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A): Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir for 12 weeks
-Therapy-naive and therapy-experienced, with decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B or C): Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir plus ribavirin for 12 weeks
Comments:
Dose guidelines also apply to HCV/HIV-1 patients who are coinfected with the virus.
In clinical trials, patients who have had therapy were treated with an alfa/ribavirin-based peginterferon regimen, with or without the HCV Nonstructural Protein 3/4A (NS3/4A) protease inhibitor (boceprevir, simeprevir, and telaprevir).
If appropriate, the manufacturer's product information must be reviewed to determine the recommended dose of ribavirin; the information provided by the manufacturer for ribavirin must be reviewed for additional information on dose and dosage adjustments.
Uses: To treat chronic HCV genotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
patients with no cirrhosis or who have compensated cirrhosis
In conjunction with ribavirin, for patients suffering from decompensated cirrhosis
Usual Pediatric Dose for Chronic Hepatitis C:
Age 6 or over:
Weight 17 to 30 kilograms: Sofosbuvir 200 mg; Velpatasvir 50 mg once a day, orally
Weight at least 30 kg: Sofosbuvir 400 mg; Velpatasvir 100 mg once daily orally
Recommended Regimen and Duration of Therapy:
Therapy-naive and therapy-experienced, without cirrhosis and with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A): Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir for 12 weeks
-Therapy-naive and therapy-experienced, with decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B or C): Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir plus ribavirin for 12 weeks
Comments:
The same recommendations are applicable to patients with HCV/HIV-1 co-infection.
In clinical trials, patients who had experienced therapy received a peginterferon alfa/ribavirin-based treatment, including or not an inhibitor of HCV's NS3/4A (boceprevir, simeprevir, boceprevir, or telaprevir).
If applicable, the manufacturer's product information must be reviewed for dose recommendations for ribavirin. The manufacturer's product information for ribavirin must be reviewed for more information about dosage and dosage adjustments.
Uses: In the treatment of chronic HCV genotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
patients who do not have cirrhosis or those with compensated cirrhosis
In conjunction with ribavirin, in patients suffering from cirrhosis that is decompensated
What happens if I miss the dose?
You should take the medication as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. Don't use two doses at the same time.Refill your prescription prior to the expiration date of your medication.
What happens if I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact for help at the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I be aware of when taking Epclusa?
This medicine won't hinder the spread of your disease. Be sure to protect yourself from sexual contact or share toothbrushes, razors, or razors. Consult your doctor regarding safe methods to avoid HCV transmission during sexual contact. Sharing needles for medicine or drugs is never safe for a healthy individual.
Interaction with other drug
If you decide to start stopping or reducing your intake of Epclusa, your doctor might need to alter the dosage of other medication you take regularly.
There are times when it's not recommended to use certain medicines simultaneously. Certain drugs may affect the blood levels of other medications that you take, which can cause more side effects or make the medication less effective.If you take Omeprazole (Prilosec) or an antacid, avoid taking it for at least 4 hours following the time you took the dosage of Epclusa (with food).A variety of drugs interact with sofosbuvir or velpatasvir. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The interactions between these products are not mentioned in this article. Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking.
