What is Viekira?
Viekira, an antiviral medication, contains a combination of dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir. Dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir antiviral medications prevent hepatitis C viruses (HCV) from multiplying within your body.
Viekira treats chronic hepatitis C among adults. Sometimes it is given with another antiviral drug called ribavirin.Viekira only treats certain genotypes and people with hepatitis C. Only take the medication prescribed to you. Don't share your medication with anyone else.Viekira can be used by people with HIV. This medication should not be considered a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Warnings
Viekira may cause your condition to worsen or return if you've ever had Hepatitis B. Your liver function will be monitored by frequent blood tests.
You must stop taking certain hormone replacement medications or birth control pills before you begin using Viekira. Ask your doctor if you can use non-hormonal contraceptives in order to prevent pregnancy.
Before you take this drug
Viekira should not be used if you have an allergy to dasabuvir or any of the other drugs in Viekira, such as ombitasvir or paritaprevir.
- You have moderate or severe liver diseases.
- Have you ever experienced a severe rash following the use of ritonavir? ( norvir)
Viekira and ribavirin may not be the best combination. Inform your doctor of all of your health concerns.There are many drugs that can cause harmful interactions. Some drugs shouldn't be taken together with dasabuvir (ombitasvir), paritaprevir (paritaprevir), and ritonavir.
- Alfuzosin;
- Apalutamide;
- Colchicine;
- Dronedarone;
- Efavirenz (Atripla, Sustiva, Symfi);
- Ranolazine;
- Rifampin;
- When taking sildenafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), it is called Revatio.
- John's Wort;
- Oral midazolam or triazolam
- Antipsychotic medicine: lurasidone and pimozide
- Birth-control pills or patches: Lo Loestrin, Norinyl Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo Ortho Evra and others
- Hormone replacement therapy, such as femhrt
- A vaginal ring, such as nuvaring
- Cholesterol-lowering medicine: atorvastatin, gemfibrozil, lomitapide, lovastatin, and simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin, and Simcor);
- An immunosuppressant: everolimus, sirolimus, tacrolimus;
- Ergot medicine: dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, or
- Seizure medicine: carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital.
You must stop taking any medicine that contains ethinyl estradiol before you begin taking Viekira. These include hormone replacement medications or birth control pills. Ask your doctor if you can use non-hormonal contraception (condoms, diaphragms with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy during Viekira treatment and for two weeks after the end of your treatment.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that this medicine will be safe for you:
- Other liver diseases other than hepatitis C, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis B,
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus);
- A liver transplant is possible.
- If you are taking a blood thinner (warfarin Coumadin Jantoven) and have regular "INR" tests or prothrombin times,
Viekira is not known to harm unborn babies.Inform your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant.
Viekira can be used with ribavirin. Ribavirin may cause birth defects in unborn babies or even death.
- You should not take ribavirin while pregnant if you're a woman. Before taking ribavirin, you may have to take a pregnancy test. You will also need to do this every month while on treatment.
- Men should not take ribavirin when their sexual partner is pregnant. If you have sexual relations with a woman who is pregnant while taking ribavirin, you could harm the unborn child.
Use at least two effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy while taking Viekira and ribavirin. This statement applies equally to men and women. Ribavirin can cause birth defects if either parent uses it.
Continue to use two methods of birth control at least six months after you have taken your last dose. If you become pregnant while taking ribavirin, either as a mother or father, tell your doctor immediately.Breastfeeding may not be possible while taking this medication. You should ask your doctor if there are any risks.
How to take Viekira?
Viekira can be taken for 12 to 24 weeks. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dosage or take it for longer.You will be tested by your doctor to ensure that you are not suffering from any conditions that would make it unsafe for you to use this medication.Take this medication with food.
Viekira is a combination medicine that comes in an extended-release form. It should be taken once per day. Viekira XR comes as three pale yellow tablets to be taken at the same time with a meal.Viekira Pak includes two types of tablets. The pink tablet only contains ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir. Dasabuvir is the only ingredient in the beige tablet.Take 1 beige and 2 pink tablets at the same time each morning. Take one beige pill at the same time each evening.
Viekira Pak or Viekira XR monthly cartons contain enough tablets to last you for four weeks (28 consecutive days).Your liver will require frequent blood tests.Viekira may cause hepatitis to return or worsen if you've ever had it. You will require liver function tests throughout the treatment period and for several months following.
Follow the instructions of your doctor when taking any medication. You should read all the information provided, including medication guides and instructions. Do not alter your medication or doses without consulting your doctor. Everyone with chronic hepatitis should be under the care and supervision of a physician.Do not stop Viekira abruptly. This could make it harder for you to get hepatitis C treated with antiviral medicines.This medicine should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. You should not remove the daily-dose tablets until you are ready for the medicine.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for chronic hepatitis C:
Viekira Pak:
Dasabuvir 250 mg twice daily (morning and night)
Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir fixed-dose combination tablet: Two tablets should be taken orally once daily (in the morning).
Extended-release Tablets (fixed-dose combinations): Orally, 3 tablets once per day
Recommended Regimen for Treatment and Duration:
Viekira Pak with ribavirin or extended-release tablets and ribavirin for 12 weeks.
-Genotype 1, with compensated cirrhosis (Child Pugh A): Viekira pak plus ribavirin or extended-release tablets and ribavirin over 24 weeks
For some patients, based on their prior treatment history, you may consider Viekira Pak and ribavirin or extended-release tablets plus ribavirin over 12 weeks.
Viekira Pak OR extended-release tablets for 12 weeks
Viekira Pak and ribavirin, or extended-release tablets with ribavirin, for 24 weeks.
Comments:
recommended for therapy-naive or interferon-experienced patients, including those with HCV/HIV-1 coinfection.
Patients with a genotype subtype unknown or a mixed genotype infection should follow the dosing guidelines for genotype 1.
The manufacturer's product information should always be consulted regarding ribavirin dosage recommendations (if applicable), concomitant HIV-1 drugs for HCV/HIV-1 co-infected patients, and calcineurin inhibitors when used in liver transplant recipients.
If necessary, consult the manufacturer's product information on ribavirin for dose adjustments.
Uses: Treatment of chronic HCV infection
In patients with genotype 1b infection without cirrhosis or compensated cirrhosis
Combination with ribavirin in genotype 1a patients with or without compensated cirrhosis
What happens if I miss the dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. If you miss a dose by more than 12 hours, take the next dose with your usual meal at the time.
If you forget the beige pill, you should take it as soon as possible with a meal. If you miss the beige pill by more than six hours, take the next dose with your usual meal at the time.Don't take more medicine to compensate for a missed dosage.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
Avoid this
Viekira XR should not be taken within 4 hours of drinking alcohol.
Viekira does not stop the spread of your disease. Don't share toothbrushes or razors. Speak to your doctor about the best ways to prevent HCV from spreading during sex. Even healthy people should never share syringes or needles.
Side effects of Viekira
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat, contact emergency medical assistance.
If you experience new or worsening signs and symptoms, such as:
- Confusion;
- Loss of appetite and upper stomach Pain
- Dark urine and clay-coloured stool
- Jaundice
Viekira may cause side effects such as:
- Nausea;
- Itching, rash, or skin redness
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- Feeling weak or tired?
There may be other side effects. For assistance regarding side effects, it is wise to seek medical advice from your physician. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
Your doctor may adjust your dose of other medications you regularly take if you stop or start taking Viekira.
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, causing side effects or making them less effective.
Viekira can interact with many drugs, and certain drugs shouldn't be taken together. These include prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions. Inform your doctor of all the medications you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.
