How long does Epclusa stay in your system?
Epclusa stays in your system approximately 3 days after the last dose. This is calculated by looking at the half-life of velpatasvir which is 15 hours and that of sofosbuvir, which is 0.5 hours. The half-life is the time it takes for 50% of a medicine to be eliminated from the body. 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. There are no active metabolites of velpatasvir or sofosbuvir that may prolong this half-life, and its clearance is not significantly affected by liver disease or mild-to-moderate kidney impairment.
If you are still experiencing side effects from Epclusa more than 5 days after you have stopped taking it, talk with your doctor. It can take a while for your body to recover from hepatitis C once you have finished a course of Epclusa. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
References
- Epclusa (velpatasvir and sofosbuvir) Updated 05/2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc. https://www.drugs.com/pro/epclusa.html
- Epclusa FAQs. Epclusa.com. https://www.epclusa.com/faq#what-if-i-miss-a-dose-of-epclusa
- Kirby BJ, Symonds WT, Kearney BP, Mathias AA. Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic, and Drug-Interaction Profile of the Hepatitis C Virus NS5B Polymerase Inhibitor Sofosbuvir. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2015 Jul;54(7):677-90. doi: 10.1007/s40262-015-0261-7. PMID: 25822283.
Read next
What is the difference between hepatitis B and C?
Some of the main differences between hepatitis B and C are:
- Hepatitis B virus can be prevented with a vaccine, but not hepatitis C.
- Hepatitis B and C are different viruses, but you can have both hepatitis B and hepatitis C at the same time.
- Over 90% of people infected with hepatitis C who have not received treatment can be cured with 8 to 12 weeks of oral medications, but treatment for hepatitis B, if needed, may be long-term or lifelong.
- There is no cure for hepatitis B, but once you recover from acute hepatitis B, you develop antibodies that protect you from the virus for life.
What are the new drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C?
The newest drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C include Mavyret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir), Vosevi (sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir), and Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir). 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. Continue reading
How much does Epclusa cost?
The cost of Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir) tablets is roughly $US78,078 for a full 12-week course of treatment. Your cost might vary based on insurance or manufacturer-provided discounts. Epclusa is covered by most insurance plans. Epclusa oral pellets have also been approved to treat children unable to swallow tablets. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Does Epclusa work if you miss doses?
- What is the best time of day to take Epclusa?
- Does Epclusa cure Hep C, what is the success rate?
- How long is an Epclusa treatment?
- Do I qualify for the Epclusa copay card and how much can I save?
- Can you drink alcohol while taking Epclusa?
- Epclusa vs Harvoni – Which is better?
- How does Epclusa work in the body?
- What is the difference between Vosevi and Epclusa?
Drug information
- Epclusa Information for Consumers
- Epclusa prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Epclusa (detailed)
- Epclusa user reviews (396)
Related support groups
- Epclusa (28 questions, 126 members)