SOFOSBUVIR belongs to a class of drugs called antivirals used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. SOFOSBUVIR is used in combination with other antiviral medicines. Hepatitis C is a severe liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is contagious (spreads from one person to another) and spreads through contact with the infected person’s blood.
SOFOSBUVIR contains Sofosbuvir, which lowers the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body and removes the virus from the blood over a period of time.
Take SOFOSBUVIR as prescribed. You are advised to take SOFOSBUVIR for as long as your doctor has advised it based on your medical condition. In some cases, SOFOSBUVIR may cause common side effects such as fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, tired and irritable, dizziness or loss of appetite. Most of these side effects of SOFOSBUVIR do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Sofosbuvir or any other medicines. Avoid pregnancy during treatment with SOFOSBUVIR as it may harm the unborn baby when used in combination with ribavirin. You or your partner must use an effective birth control method during and after this treatment. However, contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment or in the months following your treatment with SOFOSBUVIR. Drive only if you are alert, as SOFOSBUVIR may cause dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision and reduced attention.
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
SOFOSBUVIR contains Sofosbuvir, an antiviral drug used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It works by lowering the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body and removing the virus from the blood over a period of time. Thus, it helps in reducing the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body. SOFOSBUVIR is commonly used in combination with other antiviral medicines such as Ribavirin (for children and adults) and Peginterferon alfa and ribavirin (for adults).
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Sofosbuvir or any other medicines. If you are currently taking rifampicin (antibiotic), carbamazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin (anticonvulsants), or St. John’s wort (herbal medicine used to treat depression), avoid taking SOFOSBUVIR. If you are currently taking or have taken amiodarone (the medicine to treat irregular heartbeats) in the last few months, inform your doctor before taking SOFOSBUVIR as it may result in a life-threatening slow heartbeat; your doctor may prescribe alternate treatments, or if SOFOSBUVIR is prescribed, additional heart monitoring may be recommended. Avoid pregnancy during treatment with SOFOSBUVIR as it may harm the unborn baby when used in combination with ribavirin. You or your partner must use an effective birth control method during and after this treatment. However, contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment or in the months following your treatment with SOFOSBUVIR. Drive only if you are alert, as SOFOSBUVIR may cause dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision and reduced attention. You are advised to take proper precautions if you are infected with the hepatitis C virus infection to prevent the spread of infection to others.
Drug-Drug Interaction: SOFOSBUVIR may interact with anticonvulsants (oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), wakefulness-promoting agents (modafinil), antibiotics (rifapentine, rifabutin, rifampin), anti-HIV drug (tipranavir) and medicine used to treat irregular heartbeats (amiodarone).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid taking SOFOSBUVIR with St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) or a product containing St. John’s wort (herbal medicine used to treat depression).
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have diabetes or liver problems other than hepatitis C (if you are awaiting liver transplantation), inform your doctor before taking SOFOSBUVIR.
The interaction of alcohol with SOFOSBUVIR is unknown. If you have any concerns regarding this, please discuss them with your doctor.
SOFOSBUVIR is commonly used together with ribavirin. Ribavirin can harm the unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to avoid pregnancy during this therapy. However, contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment or in the months following your treatment with SOFOSBUVIR.
It is unknown whether SOFOSBUVIR is excreted in human milk. Therefore, if you are a breastfeeding mother, please inform your doctor before taking SOFOSBUVIR.
SOFOSBUVIR may cause dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision and reduced attention in some patients. Therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you feel dizzy, tired, have blurred vision or reduced attention after taking SOFOSBUVIR.
If you have a liver problem, inform your doctor before taking SOFOSBUVIR.
If you have kidney problems or if you are on kidney dialysis, inform your doctor before taking SOFOSBUVIR.
If you have any concerns regarding the use of SOFOSBUVIR in children, please consult a doctor.
Hepatitis C: It is a severe liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is contagious (spreads from one person to another) and spreads through contact with the infected person’s blood, sharing needles, using a razor or any other personal items or even transfer 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).