What is Viekira (Viekira XR)?
Viekira XR is a combination antiviral medication used to treat the chronic Hepatitis C (HCV) virus in adults. Viekira can be given with another antiviral drug called ribavirin.
Viekira is only effective in treating certain genotypes of 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. Viekira is not intended to treat HIV or AIDS.Viekira can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side Effects of Viekira
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
If you experience new or worsening signs and symptoms, such as:
- Confusion;
- Loss of appetite and upper stomach pain
- Dark urine and clay-coloured stools
- Jaundice
Viekira side effects may include:
- Nausea;
- Itching, rash, or redness
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- Feeling weak or tired?
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
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 birth control in order to prevent pregnancy.
Before you take this drug
Viekira should not be used if you have an allergy to ritonavir or dasabuvir.
- You have moderate or severe liver diseases.
- Have you ever experienced a severe rash on your skin after taking ritonavir? ( norvir).
Viekira and ribavirin may not be the best combination. Inform your doctor of all your medical conditions.
Many drugs can cause harmful interactions. Viekira should not be taken with certain drugs. If you are also taking
- Alfuzosin;
- Apalutamide;
- Colchicine;
- Dronedarone;
- Efavirenz (Atripla, Sustiva, Symfi);
- Ranolazine;
- Rifampin;
- When taken for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), sildenafil and Revatio are both effective.
- John's Wort;
- Oral midazolam (Versed), or triazolam;
- Anti-psychotic medicine: lurasidone, pimozide;
- Birth control pills and patches: Lo Loestrin Lo; Norinyl; Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo; Ortho Evra.
- Femhrt is a hormone replacement therapy.
- A vaginal band, such as the nuvaring.
- Cholesterol-lowering medicine: atorvastatin, gemfibrozil, lomitapide, lovastatin, and simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin, and Simcor);
- An immunosuppressant—everolimus, sirolimus, tacrolimus;
- Ergot medicine—dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine;
- Seizure medicine: carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital.
You must stop taking any medicine containing ethinyl estradiol before you begin taking Viekira. This includes 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:
- Other liver diseases other than hepatitis C, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis B,
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus);
- A liver transplant;
- If you are taking a blood thinner (warfarin Coumadin Jantoven) and have routine "INR", or prothrombin-time tests,
Viekira can be used with ribavirin. Ribavirin is used by both men and women to prevent pregnancy.
If you are pregnant or your partner is pregnant and you are a male, you should not take ribavirin. Prevent pregnancy by using effective birth control. Use birth control for 6 months, at least after the last dose of ribavirin.If you become pregnant while using 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 is only prescribed if you are healthy. Your doctor will conduct blood tests to ensure you don't have any conditions that could prevent you from using it safely.Viekira can be taken for 12 to 24 weeks. Read all the instructions and directions that come with your prescription. Follow the directions on the label.Take this medication with food.
Viekira is a combination medicine that has 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.The 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 XR and Viekira Pak 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.Do not stop Viekira abruptly. This could make it harder for you to get hepatitis C treated with antiviral medicines.
You should always follow the instructions on your medication, and be sure to read any medication guides that you may receive. Do not alter your dosage or schedule without consulting your doctor. Everyone with chronic hepatitis should be under the care and supervision of a physician.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.
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.Do not take more than one dose at a time.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Viekira XR should not be taken within 4 hours of drinking alcohol.
This medicine does not stop the spread of your illness. Share razors and toothbrushes. Speak to your doctor about the best ways to prevent HCV from being transmitted during sex. Even healthy people should never share syringes or needles.
Interaction with other drugs
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, which can increase side effects and make them less effective.
Viekira can interact with many drugs. Some drugs shouldn't be taken together. These include prescription and over-the-counter 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.
