This medication is used to treat chronic (long-lasting)
hepatitis C, a viral infection of the liver. Elbasvir and grazoprevir 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. This
product may also be used with certain other medications (such as
ribavirin). 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 this product and each time you get
a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Remove one dose from the original package just before
taking. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by
your doctor, usually once a day.
This product works best when the amount of drug in your
body is kept at a constant level. Take this product at evenly spaced
intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
Continue to take this product 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.
See also Warning section.
Tiredness, headache, or nausea may occur. If any of
these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
Remember that this product 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 product do not have serious side
effects.
A very serious allergic reaction to this product 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 this product, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to elbasvir or grazoprevir; 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 product, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- other liver problems (such as hepatitis B, liver
cancer)
- overuse of or addiction to alcohol
- HIV infection
- 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 (such as prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
During pregnancy, this product should be used only when
clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
If this product is used in combination with ribavirin,
it must not be used during pregnancy by either the pregnant woman or her
male partner. Ribavirin 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 the medications in this product pass
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 (such as 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.
Other medications can affect the removal of this product
from your body, which may affect how this product works. Examples include
azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole), bosentan, cyclosporine,
efavirenz, etravirine, modafinil, nafcillin, HIV protease inhibitors (such
as atazanavir), rifamycins (such as rifampin), certain drugs used to treat
seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), St. John's wort, 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 product 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 product with ribavirin, it is
recommended that female patients or female partners of male patients take a
pregnancy test before starting treatment. 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 within 8 hours of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store in the original package 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.