To avoid this interaction, dont take Epclusa with St. Johns wort. Remain under the care of a doctor. -In combination with ribavirin: In patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Coupon Last updated Jun 5. Examples of medications that contain tenofovir include: Certain antibiotic medications can decrease the amount of Epclusa in your body. Drinking alcohol while taking Epclusa can increase your risk of certain side effects from the drug. Mavyret also contains two active drugs: glecaprevir and pibrentasvir. If you also take omeprazole (Prilosec) or an antacid, do not take it for at least 4 hours after you have taken your dose of Epclusa (with food). Save 65%. If you take Epclusa with a statin, your doctor will monitor you closely for signs of rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown). The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. After cirrhosis develops, its not always possible to reverse the damage. Its not known if ribavirin passes into human breast milk. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following: * Epclusa has a boxed warning about the risk of this side effect. If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person: If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. If Epclusa is prescribed with ribavirin, follow your doctors recommendations for ribavirin dosing. accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/214187s001lbl.pdf, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=35f99f76-f2ef-4a81-91ff-285419664be3, liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/diseases-of-the-liver/hepatitis-c/support-for-patients-with-hepatitis-c/, What to Expect from a Hepatitis C Blood Test. This means that the treatment plan is based on that drug, with other drugs added in combination. Savings options and a copay card are available for Epclusa. This is one of the most commonly reported side effects of the drug. This last test will determine if you have achieved sustained virologic response (SVR), which means the virus is no longer detectable in your blood. Theyre both used to treat all six genotypes in people without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis. Hepatitis C is a curable liver infection. It typically takes about four weeks before the body notices the change, with significant improvements in two to three months. Research has shown that it takes 4 to 5 half-lives for a medicine to be fully cleared from the body which calculates out to 60 to 75 hours or 2.5 to 3.1 days for Epclusa. However, animal studies dont always predict what would happen in humans. Generic name: sofosbuvir and velpatasvir [soe-FOS-bue-vir-and-vel-PAT-as-vir] This can cause low levels of Epclusa in your body, which may make Epclusa less effective. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you might be having a medical emergency. Do not change your dose or stop using a medicine without your doctor's advice. Epclusa should remain in the original packaging. All are FDA-approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 infection without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A), as well as other uses. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Your doctor may prescribe ribavirin to be taken with Epclusa in the following situations: Epclusa and ribavirin are used together in people with these conditions because clinical trials showed a higher cure rate with the combination treatment. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. How long does Epclusa stay in your system? Use of other medications that interact with Epclusa. The half-life is the time it takes for 50% of a medicine to be eliminated from the body. If you take ribavirin with Epclusa and you or your partner could become pregnant, use birth control throughout your treatment and for 6 months after your last dose of ribavirin. Uses: For the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 infection The half-life is about 15 hours, and it is eliminated primarily in the feces. Children born with hepatitis C virus (HCV) usually respond well to treatment. Epclusa is an antiviral medicine used to treat patients from 3 years of age with chronic (long-term) hepatitis C, an infectious disease that affects the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus. To learn more about the drug, see this in-depth article. Regular exercise can also increase energy, so talk with your doctor about whether low-impact exercises are right for you. What is the difference between Vosevi and Epclusa? Most people find it easier to take Epclusa in the morning. If you have flu-like symptoms after your Epclusa treatment ends, talk with your doctor. If you have decompensated cirrhosis (severe symptoms from advanced liver disease) or other medical conditions, you may also be prescribed ribavirin to take with Epclusa. Missing doses could make Epclusa less effective in treating your hepatitis C. If you drink alcohol, you should avoid drinking alcohol when you have hepatitis C, especially when youre being treated with Epclusa. Epclusa is taken daily for 12 weeks. Epclusa works by interfering with a protein and an enzyme needed by the hepatitis C virus to replicate and if you forget a dose, your blood levels of Epclusa can fall below the level needed to inhibit this protein or enzyme. If you have to take amiodarone while you receive Epclusa treatment, your doctor will closely monitor your heart function. With the appropriate treatment, it is possible to clear the virus within 12 weeks. Hepatitis C can also cause these harmful effects. Usual Pediatric Dose for Chronic Hepatitis C: 6 years or older: Epclusa treats specific genotypes of hepatitis C, and only in certain people. What are the mild side effects of Epclusa? However, some people experience weight loss as a symptom of hepatitis C. If you have weight loss thats concerning or becomes severe, talk with your doctor. Taking Epclusa with topotecan is not recommended. These symptoms include fatigue, muscle aches, and headache. Alcohol may also interfere with your ability to stick to your treatment plan as directed by your doctor. However, in some cases its used with ribavirin (Rebetol). We'll explain the different types of hepatitis C, how it's transmitted, symptoms, screening, testing, diagnosis, treatment, and more. Epclusas recommended dosage for hepatitis C in adults is one 400 mg/100 mg tablet or two 200 mg/50 mg packets of pellets once per day, for 12 weeks. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. A drug called ribavirin should not be used in people with a certain level of kidney disease. For this reason, doctors typically dont prescribe these drugs together. To avoid kidney damage caused by large doses of ibuprofen, dont take a higher dose than is recommended on the ibuprofen package. Uses: For the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 infection Epclusa can be taken at any time of day. Epclusa and Mavyret are both taken once daily. Some people may have mild or serious side effects while taking Epclusa. Note: If you take Epclusa pellets sprinkled onto food, be sure to choose non-acidic foods such as ice cream or pudding. If you take Epclusa with ribavirin, you may have different or additional side effects. Ribavirin can cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Epclusa: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Epclusa is a brand-name drug that contains the active drugs velpatasvir and sofosbuvir. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Epclusa contains two active drugs velpatasvir and sofosbuvir. The most common type of drug test is a urine test. It may also be helpful to connect with others who are coping with hepatitis C. For more information, visit help4hep.org or call 877-Help-4-Hep (877-435-7443). Taking Epclusa with St. Johns wort can decrease the amount of Epclusa thats absorbed by your body. Plasma protein binding accounts for approximately 65% of the circulating drug. Reactivation of HBV can lead to liver failure or death. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Get medical help right away if you take this medicine and you have: very slow heartbeats, chest pain, shortness of breath; weakness, extreme tiredness, light-headed feeling (like you might pass out). You can swallow the pellets by themselves, or you can sprinkle them onto food and then swallow them. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. Find out the ways hepatitis C can impact kidneys, along with treatment options and topics to discuss with your doctor. However, these side effects are likely caused by your body recovering from the hepatitis C virus. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Epclusa and Vosevi generally cost about the same. Your doctor can tell you more. Clearing the virus from the body will reduce liver inflammation and prevent additional scarring. Epclusa has a boxed warning about the risk of this side effect. Hepatitis B virus reactivation: Before starting EPCLUSA treatment, your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for hepatitis B infection. Epclusa and Harvoni are brand-name medications. People with or without cirrhosis are able to use Epclusa. SVR stands for sustained virologic response, which means undetectable virus levels after treatment. 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