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Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir - Indications, Dosage, Side Effects and Precautions

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Information about Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir

Generic Name : Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir
Up-to-date prescription details regarding Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir are provided here.

Pronunciation : soe-FOS-bue-vir, vel-PAT-as-vir, VOX-i-LA-pre-vir

Learn the correct pronunciation of the Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir, understand it's uses, recommended dosages, its indications, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its and its storage instructions.
You will also find a list of the medication's International and Indian brand or trade names, as well as its pricing information. For verification of the information presented on this page or for additional clarifications, it's advisable to consult your doctor.


Therapeutic Classification : Antivirals

Trade Names/Brand Names of Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir

India :


Vosevi

Overview of Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir

• Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir combined tablet for oral use was approved by US FDA on 2017 for the treatment of hepatitis C virus in adults.

Why is Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir Prescribed? (Indications)

The sofosbuvir, velpatasvir and voxilaprevir combination is the first pan-genotypic fixed-dose combination drug prescribed to treat adult patients who suffer from genotype 1-6 chronic HCV infection without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A).

This fixed dose combination is used only when other treatments showed a poor response or have failed. More precisely, it is used in-
• Patients who were earlier treated with a combination of drugs that included an NS5A inhibitor • Patients with genotype 1a or 3 infection and have previously been treated with a combination of drugs containing sofosbuvir but without an NS5A inhibitor

This combination works by preventing the multiplication of the hepatitis C virus inside the body.

When should Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir not be taken? (Contraindications)

Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir should not be used in-

• Allergy to sofosbuvir, velpatasvir and/or voxilaprevir
• Moderate-to-severe liver impairment
• Severe or end-stage kidney disease
• Along with rifampin
• Children

What is the dosage of Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir?

• The recommended dosage of sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir combination for treating chronic hepatitis C infection is one tablet should be taken once a day for 12 weeks.
• Each tablet contains 400 mg of sofosbuvir, 100 mg of velpatasvir, and 100 mg of voxilaprevir.

How should Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir be taken?

• Sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir comes as a tablet form which has to be taken by mouth with food.
• The tablet should be taken at the same time every day.
• Take the tablet exactly as prescribed and do not take for longer periods than recommended.

What are the warnings and precautions for Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir?

• Patients should be tested for hepatitis B virus infection (HBsAg & anti-HBc) and if positive, should be treated first before using sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir treatment as these drugs lead to reactivation of hepatitis B virus, which may result in fulminant hepatitis, liver failure or death. Monitor the patients regularly during the treatment to detect reactivation of hepatitis B infection.

• Frequent liver function tests should be performed during the treatment to detect the development of liver disorders and to treat at the earliest.

• Do not stop taking sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir tablets without consulting your healthcare provider.

• Patients should be advised to report to the emergency center immediately in the presence of symptoms such as jaundice, dark-colored urine, clay-colored stools, loss of appetite or severe pain in the stomach.

• Monitoring blood tests such as INR or prothrombin tests are recommended in patients taking blood thinning medications or anticoagulants such as warfarin.

What are the side effects of Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir?

Common: Diarrhea, nausea, headache, tiredness or asthenia
Cardiovascular: Slow heartbeat (in patients taking amiodarone)
Nervous system: Inability to sleep, depression
Skin: Rashes, angioedema, blisters
Others: Raised bilirubin, serum lipase, and creatine kinase levels

What are the other precautions for Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir?

• An overdose of sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir is treated symptomatically as no specific antidote is available.
• Do not share razors, needles or have unprotected sex as sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir tablets will not prevent from spreading hepatitis C virus.
• Caution is required while using sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir tablets in pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers.
• Do not take an extra dose to make up the missed dose. Take the missed dose immediately when you remember or skip the dose if it is too close to the next scheduled dose.

What are the Drug Interactions of Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir?

• Amiodarone when co-administered with sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir can result in serious bradycardia (slowing of heart rate), which may lead to cardiac arrest especially in patients taking beta blockers or with a previous heart problem and /or severe liver disease.

• The combination tablet may increase blood digoxin and dabigatran levels. Therefore, digoxin levels and the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran require careful monitoring during treatment with the combination.
• Drugs such as rifampin, carbamazepine and herbal supplements such as St. John’s wort should not be taken with sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir as it may result in either loss of effect or reduced therapeutic activity.

• Antacids should not be taken at the same time as sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir tablets. A time gap of four hours are needed between these administrations. Cyclosporine can increase the level of voxilaprevir and should therefore not be used with the combination.
• Due to possible interactions, the use of the combination along with drugs like atazanavir, lopinavir, tipranavir/ritonavir, efavirenz and the anti-cholesterol drugs like pravastatin, pitavastatin and rosuvastatin is not recommended. It should be used with tenofovir with extreme caution.

• Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir may interact with several other drugs including methotrexate, mitoxantrone, imatinib, irinotecan, lapatinib, rosuvastatin, sulfasalazine and topotecan. Patients should inform the physician about taking prescription or non-prescription drugs and herbal supplements.

What are the storage conditions for Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir?

• Store the tablets of sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir at room temperature below 30°C.
• Always dispense in the original container and protect from excess heat and moisture.
• Keep away from the reach of children.
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