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EPCLUSA is a prescribed medication used in treating adult individuals with chronic diseases (diagnose for a long time), and Hepatitis-C with genotype 1 to 6 infection (compensated). For those with advanced cirrhosis (decompensated cirrhosis), they should use EPCLUSA with Ribavirin.
EPCLUSA is one of the latest anti-viral medicines and to be approved by the FDA. It stops the infections from spreading across the body or replicating itself and worsen the disease. The drug is a combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir. These contents are anti-viral medications that use to prevent hepatitis C infection or Hep C virus HCV from multiplying in a person's body.
The treatment is used for chronic hepatitis C for adult individuals, and in some instances, EPCLUSA is used in combination with another anti-viral medicine Ribavirin. They only use this combination for advanced compensated cirrhosis. Though it's not a specific anti-viral for hepatitis genotype, this Ribavirin may cause congenital problems or disabilities.
The EPCLUSA has an oral treatment option in 12 weeks of medication. For once a day, take one tablet (not the actual size). You can take it with or without food as well.
If ever you skip one and it's time for your next dose schedules, then do not take 2 of it at one time. That would be very dangerous. Take the EPCLUSA as soon as you are reminded of it. Better keep your time or schedule alarmed so you will forget about it
In case you are taking Ribavirin also while under EPCLUSA prescription, then there is a medication guide you should follow from your health professional, and that includes how many doses you should be taking.
Use the EPCLUSA medication as directed in the medication guide your doctor gave you. It is not advisable to change your dosage or your schedule without the advice of your healthcare provider.
One must not stop using the EPCLUSA drug suddenly. It could cause your hepatitis C virus harder to cure with anti-viral medicines (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir). If you have a hepatitis B infection, the use of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir may cause the virus to become more active and will not help your EPCLUSA treatment at all or it may cause death.
If vomiting occurs within 3 hrs after taking EPCLUSA, take another dose. If it is already longer than 3 hrs since you have taken the first one, then do not take another tablet of EPCLUSA. Just continue with the normal dosage and flow of your treatment.
If you are allergic to Ribavirin, sofosbuvir velpatasvir, or any ingredients or information, this medication has, then stop using it right away or do not take it at all. You must be keen on monitoring all the side effects of EPCLUSA and tell your doctor if you are experiencing any.
You must keep EPCLUSA medicine in its original container or required room temperature, away from heat and moisture. Do not dispose of EPCLUSA medicine in the sink or toilet or any garbage. A licensed pharmacist knows how so you better ask for advice from them on how to properly dispose of EPCLUSA.
Continue taking the medication for the full length as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist even if all other symptoms have already disappeared. Stopping it at an early period without completing the 12 weeks of treatment resulted in infections to return in no time.
The drug is a combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir. These contents are anti-viral medications that use to prevent hepatitis C infection or Hep C virus HCV from multiplying in a person's body.
It's very important to communicate well with your healthcare professional, especially regarding all other medical conditions you may have. If you've been sick in the past and took other medications, then your doctor must know if you had Hepatitis B or any other liver issues other than Hepatitis-C; if you have kidney diseases or dialysis; if you have been an HIV infected individual; if you are breastfeeding right now or planning to get pregnant at the moment. These are a few of the conditions your healthcare provider must know. It's important to note that this ribavirin drug can cause defects on newborn babies or even the unborn ones. That's why you shouldn't use Ribavirin if you are already pregnant and neither should your partner. You can use birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are under the medication of EPCLUSA combined with Ribavirin.
This includes Hepatitis B - Virus Reactivation. Your healthcare professional will do a vital blood test first to check if you are Hepatitis B infected before they proceed with EPCLUSA medication. The reason why they need to check is that if Hepatitis B infects you, the virus will become more active once more after dealing with EPCLUSA medication. In the end, this will cause you other severe illnesses like liver failure, or worse, death. Your healthcare professionals must be informed, especially if you are feeling these side effects so they can monitor your situation during and after the EPCLUSA treatment
This includes bradycardia or slow heart rate. Taking EPCLUSA with other medications like amiodarone (includes Cordarone, Pacerone, and Nexterone), which is used to treat heart issues or problems, may cause someone a slow heart rate. Some cases having a slow heart rate can cause death. You need proper advice or medical help from the right professional if you are planning to take EPCLUSA with amiodarone. There are symptoms to be aware of and you must seek medical attention if they are experienced. These include fainting, dizziness, weakness, breath's shortness, pain in the chest, memory loss, and extreme tiredness. The most common symptom is a headache. If you feel that you have these symptoms, reach out to your doctor.
If you are getting a headache most of the time, try to relax and get a good rest. Also, drinking enough water is a big help in combatting headaches. Limit yourself from beverages with high acidity content like sodas, coffee, and tea.
Do not push yourself past your limits. Try to take a rest or short naps, even for about 20 to 30 minutes. It must not be close to bedtime hours. If you have regained your most energy, try to resume activities if you are able to do so.
When EPCLUSA medication is used while taking Ribavirin, (for those diagnosed with advanced cirrhosis and compensated cirrhosis), the most common side effects are diarrhea, anemia, insomnia, and nausea. The dosage of using Ribavirin also depends on the person's weight.
Other side effects of sofosbuvir velpatasvir may be present and usually don't require medical attention. The side effects may go away during the treatment since the patients' bodies will adjust to it. If you have these symptoms or side effects that worry you a lot, then you must tell your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will also tell you ways to reduce the side effects of EPLCUSA (sofosbuvir velpatasvir).
Get proper medical advice from your healthcare professional in taking EPCLUSA, if you have Hep-B. People with this virus are very dormant and it can lead to the recurrence of Hep-B while also taking sofosbuvir and velpatasvir. This will result in serious liver damage and fatal liver problems or failure. If side effects like any liver diseases, over fatigue, appetite loss, dark urine, pain in abdominal, and itchy skin, then you contact your doctor.
Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir are safe to use in treating hepatitis C and also for people who have HIV. However, there are some medications used to treat HIV that can affect sofosbuvir or velpatasvir. The overall medication will have different side effects in the body which can be dangerous. If you have HIV and taking EPCLUSA as well, then discuss the possible solutions with your doctor.
For Those with Liver Transplant
The safety of using or taking sofosbuvir and velpatasvir after getting a liver transplant has not been proven. The information on this medication is not advised and recommended.
For people with diabetes, the use of this drug may lower your blood sugar, especially with Hep-C treatment. If this is the case, your medical provider will adjust your blood sugar treatment plan. The best thing you can do is to report any symptoms of having low blood sugar like sweating, faster heartbeat, shaking, dizziness, blurry vision, and tingling feet or hands.
EPCLUSA medication can be used with people who are experiencing mild to moderate kidney problems. It is not proven yet that this medication can be used with those with severe kidney diseases. It would be better to ask your doctor if EPCLUSA and the ribavirin drugs are right for you.
EPCLUSA is not advised for women who are in their pregnancy stage or planning to get pregnant. There is no direct information that tells sofosbuvir, and velpatasvir cannot harm the unborn child. In the case that you get pregnant while under EPCLUSA medication, then immediate medical advice from your doctor is a must.
During the pregnancy stage, the medication must be used only when it is clearly needed or stated in the prescription. If you are unsure, discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare provider. You must be reminded that the combination of all these medications may have harmful effects on your unborn child.
On the other hand, if you use Ribavirin with sofosbuvir - velpatasvir, you must consider using two forms of birth control. One for you and the other one for your partner.
There is no exact information explaining sofosbuvir or velpatasvir used to treat illness for breastfeeding mothers. There might be some side effects on the baby. If you don't want that to happen, you should do a regular check-up with your doctor.
The effectiveness of EPCLUSA to children ages 18 years and below has not been known. There are ongoing tests and research of information on the topic.
It's a good thing that EPCLUSA is covered with most insurance plans today. It's a wise decision for patients to take treatment right away for Hepatitis C with the support from EPCLUSA. There is a program navigator or information that can help all patients and will make them understand all the insurance coverage under this medication and all other potential cost-saving options. You can ask the proper authorities under these coverages for any information that might help you.
If insurance is not possible, the EPCLUSA medicine is roughly $75,000 or more for a 12-week treatment range.
There might be changes in drug interaction, depending on how your current medication works on you or how it increases the risks of various side effects. As much as possible, keep a list with you of all other drug products you're using. This also includes prescription and non-prescription drugs and herbal products. Share the list with your healthcare provider or your pharmacist. Don't do anything yet like stopping or changing the dosage right away without communicating with your doctor for their approval.
You shouldn't take EPCLUSA medication along with the other medicines that have sofosbuvir ingredients. That will cause problems as you go on with the treatment.
If these medicines are part of your regular medication, it is advisable to talk with your health providers or pharmacist. Do not stop taking your medication until you have spoken with your doctor.
Many medications may still interact with EPCLUSA. This includes over the counter drugs, supplements, and herbal medicines. You must tell your healthcare provider right away if you are taking them. Additionally, if you consume a lot of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, or any street drugs, let your doctor or prescriber know about it may affect your present medication under EPCLUSA.
The overall cure rate of medicine is 98%. This is mostly from the six types of Hep C (Hepatitis C). They are taking one pill, once a day, in 12 weeks. They can take it with or without food. It would be best to ask your doctor's advice about it as well to make sure it is the right medicine for you.
The cure means that the Hepatitis C virus is not detected through blood calculated three months after the treatment is completed.
The EPCLUSA medicine is from Harvoni - ledipasvir or sofosbuvir that revolutionized the Hepatitis C medication for adult individuals with genotype 1. It has been prescribed to millions of people already.
Health care providers typically give a combination of velpatasvir and sofosbuvir for patients without cirrhosis. They may prescribe it along with the other anti-viral drug ribavirin for those with severe or serious cirrhosis illness. But for people without cirrhosis, treatment lasted 12 weeks.
Epclusa |
|
CAS Number |
1190307-88-0 |
PubChem CID |
91885554 |
UNII |
WJ6CA3ZU8B |
KEGG |
D10827 |
ATC code |
J05AP55 (WHO) |
MedlinePlus |
a616034 |