sofosbuvir, Sovaldi to Cure Hep C: Side Effects and Dosing

What is sofosbuvir, and how does it work?

• Sofosbuvir is an oral, direct-acting
  antiviral agent used for treating infections with the
  hepatitis C virus (HCV).
• Other direct-acting hepatitis C treatments include:

  • boceprevir (Victrelis)

  • telaprevir (Incivek)
  • simeprevir (Olysio)
• After administration sofosbuvir is first converted to an active form. The active form of sofosbuvir interferes with multiplication of the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of HCV leading to reduced numbers of
  hepatitis C virus in the body.
• Sofosbuvir is effective for treating infection with HCV genotype 1,2,3, or 4, and in
  clinical trials, 50% to 90% of individuals treated with
  the drug cleared the hepatitis C virus from their blood.

What brand names are available for sofosbuvir?

Sovaldi is the brand name available for this drug in the US.

Is it available as a generic drug?

No, there's no generic available.

Do I need a prescription for it?

Yes,
you need a prescription from your doctor or health care professional for this
drug.

What types of hepatitis C infections does it treat (uses)?

Sofosbuvir is used in combination with ribavirin (Rebetol, Copegus) or ribavirin plus interferon to treat
hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 2, 3, or 4 infection.

Sofosbuvir side effects

The most common side effects reported by patients include:

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Anemia
• Itching

Other side effects include:

• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Irritability
• Rash
• Muscle pain
• Flu-like
  symptoms
• Reduced blood cells,
• Severe
  depression, and
• Increases in bilirubin levels

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How do I use or take sofosbuvir (dosage)?

The recommended dose of sofosbuvir is one 400 mg tablet once daily with or without food for 12 to 24 weeks.

Which drugs or supplements interact with sofosbuvir?

Rifampin and St. John’s wort may reduce blood levels of sofosbuvir by increasing its metabolism (break-down) in the intestine. Therefore, sofosbuvir should not be combined with rifampin or St. John’s wort. Other drugs that also may reduce blood levels of sofosbuvir include:

• carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR
• Equetro,
  Carbatrol)
• phenytoin (Dilantin,
  Dilantin-125)
• phenobarbital,
  oxcarbazepine (Tripetal)
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• rifapentine

• tipranavir
  (Aptivus)/ritonavir
  (Norvir)

Sofosbuvir and amiodarone should not be combined with another direct-acting antiviral agent because combining them may significantly reduce heart rate, especially in people who are taking beta-blockers or have underlying heart problems.

Hepatitis C virus causes an infection of the ______________.
See Answer

Is it safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

• There hasn't been enough research and evaluation of sofosbuvir in
  pregnant women. However, ribavirin, which is combined with sofosbuvir should not be used
  if you're pregnant. Your male partner shouldn't use it either.
• Researchers don't know if sofosbuvir is secreted into
  breast milk.

What else should I know about this drug?

• This drug is available in 400 mg tablets.
• Keep the tablets stored at room temperature below 30 C (86 F).
• The FDA approved Sovaldi in December 2013.