Daclatasvir
About Daclatasvir
Daclatasvir is a prescription medication used to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. Its primary medical purpose is to help clear the hepatitis C virus from your body, preventing long-term complications. This medicine is always prescribed in combination with other antiviral medications to ensure the treatment is effective.
You will typically take Daclatasvir once daily, and it is crucial to take it consistently at the same time every day. You can take this medicine with or without food. To support your liver during treatment, it is highly recommended to make lifestyle adjustments such as avoiding alcohol and eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet.
While taking Daclatasvir, some people may experience mild side effects like headaches or feeling unusually tired. However, you must contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience serious symptoms such as a very slow heart rate, severe dizziness, or signs of liver strain like yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Before you start taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider about your complete medical history. Do not take this if you are currently taking certain medications, such as specific treatments for tuberculosis or seizures, as they can stop Daclatasvir from working. It is also important to let your doctor know if you have ever had a hepatitis B infection, as this virus can sometimes become active again during treatment.
This medicine can interact with several other drugs, including herbal supplements like St. John's wort and certain heart rate medications. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, talk to your healthcare provider to discuss the safety of this treatment for your specific situation.
Uses of Daclatasvir
Medicinal Benefits
When used as directed with other antiviral medicines, Daclatasvir may provide the following benefits:
- Helps clear the infection: Daclatasvir helps stop the hepatitis C virus from multiplying. Successful treatment can clear the virus from the blood and prevent it from continuing to harm the liver.
- Helps prevent further liver damage: Once the virus is cleared, ongoing liver inflammation can decrease, and further liver scarring may be prevented.
Directions for Use
- Daclatasvir can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- It is usually taken once daily; however, follow your doctor’s advice regarding the dosage and duration.
- Swallow the tablet as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, crush or chew Daclatasvir.
Storage
Side Effects of Daclatasvir
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Headache
- Feeling unusually tired or fatigued
- Nausea or mild stomach upset
- Diarrhoea
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- An abnormally slow heart rate (especially when taken with certain other heart medications)
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Extreme dizziness or fainting
- Signs of liver issues, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, or severe pain in your upper right abdomen
Drug Warnings
- Take treatment consistently: Take Daclatasvir according to the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop treatment or skip doses intentionally, as incomplete or inconsistent antiviral treatment may reduce the chance of successfully clearing the infection.
- Check before starting new medicines: Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements you use, as some can significantly affect daclatasvir levels and reduce its effectiveness or increase side effects.
- Be cautious with amiodarone: Tell your doctor if you take amiodarone for a heart rhythm problem. When used with certain daclatasvir-containing antiviral regimens, amiodarone has been associated with serious slowing of the heart rate.
- Check for hepatitis B: Your doctor should assess you for current or previous hepatitis B infection before starting hepatitis C treatment because hepatitis B can become active again during or after treatment.
- Follow the complete antiviral regimen: Daclatasvir is used with other antiviral medicines. Take all medicines in your prescribed hepatitis C regimen as directed and do not change the treatment plan on your own.
- Kidney conditions: Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or are receiving dialysis. Daclatasvir itself generally does not require dose adjustment for kidney impairment, but the suitability of your overall hepatitis C treatment regimen may depend on your kidney function and the other antiviral medicines you receive.
Drug Interactions
- Amiodarone: Combining this heart drug with Daclatasvir and other antivirals can lead to a severe, life-threatening drop in your heart rate.
- Rifampin and Seizure Medications (such as phenytoin or carbamazepine): These medicines can significantly lower the levels of Daclatasvir in your body, making your hepatitis C treatment much less effective.
- St. John's Wort: This herbal supplement can speed up how your body breaks down Daclatasvir, reducing its ability to clear the virus.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if Daclatasvir interacts with alcohol. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking Daclatasvir. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIf you are a nursing mother, inform your doctor before taking Daclatasvir. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
consult your doctorIt is not known if Daclatasvir affects your ability to drive. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are not alert.
Liver
cautionIf you have a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Daclatasvir. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before taking Daclatasvir. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeDaclatasvir is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age, as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid alcohol entirely: Alcohol puts extra strain on your liver and can speed up liver damage, making it harder for your liver to heal during your antiviral treatment.
- Eat a liver-friendly diet: Focus on whole foods, including plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains, while limiting foods high in saturated fats and refined sugars.
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your kidneys filter waste and keep your body hydrated.
- Prevent virus transmission: Remember that while you are undergoing treatment, you can still pass the virus to others. Avoid sharing personal items like toothbrushes, razors, or nail clippers, and practice safe sex.
Special Advise
- Close monitoring of liver and kidney function tests is required while on treatment with Daclatasvir to monitor liver and kidney functions.
- Sudden withdrawal of Daclatasvir should be avoided as it can cause severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis or other serious side effects.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hepatitis C Virus Infection: It is a contagious infection caused by the hepatitis C virus affecting the liver. This infection spreads from person to person through blood contact (being pricked with a contaminated needle or using a razor), intimate contact with the infected person, direct contact with infected blood, or contact with any other personal items with leftovers of infected fluid or even from mother to baby during birth. The symptoms may not appear immediately. Some may take between 2 to 12 weeks to appear. Few people may have mild to moderate symptoms such as dark urine, loss of appetite, fever, joint pain, or stomach discomfort. The complications of untreated chronic hepatitis C include liver cancer or liver cirrhosis (scarring).
FAQs
Daclatasvir is used to treat Hepatitis C virus infection.
Daclatasvir contains Daclatasvir, which works by blocking the activity of the hepatitis C virus in the liver cells. This causes viral DNA termination and reduces the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Avoid receiving Daclatasvir if you are allergic to it or other medicines of the same class. Also, this medicine should not be used along with CYP3A inducer drugs such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, etc., as it can cause serious adverse effects. Concomitant use of Daclatasvir along with amiodarone should be avoided due to the risk of severe bradycardia (slow heart rate).
Yes, you can take Daclatasvir either with food or on an empty stomach. Taking it at the same time every day is what matters most for keeping the drug level steady in your body. If you have a sensitive stomach, taking it with a meal may help prevent mild nausea. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need more tips on taking your medication.
If you remember within 20 hours of your missed dose, take it immediately and then continue your regular schedule. If more than 20 hours have passed, skip that dose and take the next one at your normal scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed one. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you regularly struggle to remember your doses.
It is strongly advised to avoid alcohol entirely while taking Daclatasvir. Alcohol damages liver cells and can slow down your liver’s healing process, making your hepatitis C treatment less effective. To give your liver the best chance to recover, stay away from alcohol. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for support with lifestyle changes.
The safety of Daclatasvir during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not fully established, and it is always used with other medications which may have their own risks. You must tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before starting this drug. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to understand the safest options for you.
The duration of your treatment depends on your specific hepatitis C genotype, your liver health, and how well you tolerate the medication, but it typically ranges from 12 to 24 weeks. It is vital that you complete the entire course prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel much better early on. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your treatment plan.
No, Daclatasvir cannot be used on its own. It must always be taken in combination with other direct-acting antiviral medications to successfully clear the hepatitis C virus. Taking it alone can make the virus resistant to treatment. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the specific combination of medications prescribed for you.
Yes, Daclatasvir interacts strongly with St. John's wort, which can severely lower the level of the medicine in your blood and prevent it from working. Avoid taking this herbal supplement and discuss all other vitamins or over-the-counter products you take with your healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new supplements.
A slow heart rate is a serious risk, especially if you take Daclatasvir alongside other antivirals and a heart medication called amiodarone. If you experience dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, or chest pain, seek emergency medical care immediately. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have a history of heart conditions before starting this medicine.
Yes. Daclatasvir is used as part of a combination treatment for hepatitis C and is not used alone. It may be prescribed with other antiviral medicines, such as sofosbuvir. The combination used depends on factors such as the type of hepatitis C infection, your liver health, previous treatment, and other health conditions. Your doctor will determine the treatment regimen that is appropriate for you.
