This medication contains 3 drugs: sofosbuvir,
velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir. This medication is used to treat chronic
(long-lasting) hepatitis C, a viral infection of the liver. 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 if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir
and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor
or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with food as directed by
your doctor, usually once daily.
This medication works best when the amount of drug in
your body is kept at a constant level. Take this drug at evenly spaced
times. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
Continue to take this medication 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 velpatasvir. 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 velpatasvir 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 this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to sofosbuvir or velpatasvir or
voxilaprevir; 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, liver
cancer)
- overuse of or addiction to alcohol
- 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.
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 of
affected drugs include pitavastatin, rosuvastatin, topotecan, among
others.
Other medications can affect the removal of this
medication from your body, which may affect how this medication works.
Examples include atazanavir, cyclosporine, efavirenz, lopinavir, 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 or velpatasvir.
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 miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time 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 container 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.