Daclatasvir is used with another antiviral medication
(sofosbuvir) to treat chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C, a viral infection
of the liver. Daclatasvir should never be used without sofosbuvir.
Daclatasvir and sofosbuvir may also be used with another antiviral
medication (ribavirin). These medications together reduce 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 if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking daclatasvir and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Also read
the drug information for your other antiviral
medication(s).
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, response
to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your
doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including
prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal
products).
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.
Continue to take daclatasvir and your other antiviral
medication(s) for the full length of time prescribed, even if your symptoms
disappear after a short time. Stopping any of the drugs too early may
result in a return of the infection.
See also Warning section.
Tiredness, headache, nausea, or diarrhea 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 daclatasvir, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; 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:
- kidney disease
- 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, daclatasvir should be used only when
clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Daclatasvir, 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 daclatasvir passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
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.
Amiodarone may interact with sofosbuvir. Tell your
doctor and pharmacist if you are taking amiodarone.
Other medications can affect the removal of daclatasvir
from your body, which may affect how daclatasvir works. Examples include
apalutamide, butalbital, encorafenib, ivosidenib, lumacaftor, mitotane,
rifampin, secobarbital, St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such
as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.
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
you don't remember until the next day, 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.
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.