This medication is a combination of ledipasvir and
sofosbuvir and is used to treat chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C, a viral
infection of the liver. It may sometimes be used with another antiviral
medication (ribavirin). These drugs work by reducing the amount of
hepatitis C virus in your body, which helps your immune system fight the
infection and may help your liver recover. Chronic hepatitis C infection
can cause serious liver problems such as scarring (cirrhosis), or liver
cancer.
It is not known if this treatment can prevent you from
passing the virus to others. Do not share needles, and practice "safer sex"
(including the use of latex condoms) to lower the risk of passing the virus
to others.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions
for Use if available from your pharmacist before you start taking
ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and each time you get a refill. If you have any
questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily. The dosage is based on your
medical condition and response to treatment. Children's dosage is also
based on weight.
If you are using the pellet form of this medication,
gently shake the packet before use. To take this medication without food,
open the packet and pour the pellets directly into your mouth. Swallow the
pellets without chewing. You may drink water after swallowing the pellets
if needed. Repeat these steps if your dose is for more than one packet. If
you are taking this medication with food, open the packet(s) and pour the
pellets into a small bowl with one or more spoonfuls of non-acidic soft
food (such as pudding, mashed potato, ice cream). The soft food should be
at or below room temperature. After gently mixing, take all of the mixture
without chewing within 30 minutes.
This medication works best when the amount of drug in
your body is kept at a constant level. Take this drug at evenly spaced
intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
Tell your doctor if you vomit within 5 hours after
taking this medication. You may need to take another dose.
Continue to take ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for the full
length of time prescribed, even if symptoms disappear after a short time.
Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the
infection.
Antacids lower the absorption of ledipasvir. If you are
taking an antacid, take it at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after this
medication.
Other acid-lowering medications for indigestion,
heartburn, or ulcers (such as prescription or over-the-counter medications
including famotidine, omeprazole) may prevent ledipasvir from working. Ask
your doctor or pharmacist how to use these medications
safely.
See also Warning section.
Tiredness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, or difficulty
sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your
doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to either of the drugs; or if you have any
other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can
cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for
more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- other liver problems (such as hepatitis B)
- diabetes
If you have diabetes, your blood sugar may be lower with
hepatitis C treatment. This can increase your risk of low blood sugar, so
your doctor may adjust your diabetes treatment plan. Tell your doctor right
away if you have symptoms of low blood sugar such as sudden sweating,
shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling
hands/feet.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, in combination with ribavirin, must not be used
during pregnancy by either the pregnant woman or her male partner. The
combination may harm an unborn baby. Reliable forms of birth control must
be used whenever at least one sexual partner is using these medicines
together. Female patients should keep using birth control for 9 months
after stopping treatment. Male patients should keep using birth control for
6 months after stopping treatment. If you or your partner becomes pregnant,
or if you think you or your partner may be pregnant, tell your doctor right
away.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
See also How to Use section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
A product that may interact with this drug
is:
This medication can slow down the removal of other
medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples
include flibanserin, rosuvastatin, among others.
Other medications can affect the removal of
ledipasvir/sofosbuvir from your body, which may affect how this medication
works. Examples include apalutamide, rifamycins (such as rifampin,
rifabutin), St. John's wort, tipranavir/ritonavir, drugs used to treat
seizures (such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone),
among others.
Do not take this medication with other products that
contain sofosbuvir.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab tests (such as liver function, tests for hepatitis B
and C) should be done before you start using this medication, while you are
using it, and after completing treatment. Keep all medical and lab
appointments.
If you are using this medication with ribavirin, it is
recommended that female patients or female partners of male patients take a
pregnancy test before starting this medication. Pregnancy tests should
continue to be done while using this medication and for some time after
this medication is stopped to make sure no pregnancy occurs (for 9 months
for female patients and for 6 months for female partners of male
patients).
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is less than 6 hours before the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take
your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Store the tablets in the original container. For the pellets, do not open
the packets until you are ready to use the medication. Do not store in the
bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.