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Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir

Generic name: sofosbuvir and velpatasvir [ soe-FOS-bue-vir-and-vel-PAT-as-vir ]
Brand name: Epclusa
Dosage forms: oral pellet (150 mg-37.5 mg; 200 mg-50 mg), oral tablet (200 mg-50 mg; 400 mg-100 mg)
Drug class: Antiviral combinations

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Jul 12, 2023.

What is Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir?

Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir are used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), it is the generic name for the medicine Epclusa (brand name). Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir are both antiviral ingredients that work by helping to prevent the hepatitis C virus to make copies of itself. The single once-a-day tablet or film-coated pellets contain the two antiviral medicine, sofosbuvir and velpatasvir.

Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir can be used by patients 3 years of age and older who have chronic (long lasting) hepatitis C that is genotype 1-6, your doctor will perform tests to find out which hepatitis genotype you have. Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir can be used in hepatitis C patients without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis. If you have decompensated cirrhosis you need to take sofosbuvir and velpatasvir in combination with another medicine called ribavirin.

Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir is sometimes used in people who have hepatitis C and also have HIV, but this medicine does not treat HIV or AIDS.

Sofosbuvir is also available as a single-ingredient medicine under the brand name Sovaldi and is used for hepatitis C virus. Sovaldi must be given in combination with other antiviral medications - it should not be used alone, as a single HCV medicine treatment.

Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir became an FDA-approved medicine on June 28, 2016. 

Warnings

If you've had hepatitis B, this medicine can cause this condition to come back or get worse.  Call your doctor if you don't feel well and you have right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication in your combination therapy. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

Sofosbuvir with velpatasvir is used in combination with ribavirin if you have decompensated cirrhosis. Ribavirin can cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby. Do not use ribavirin if you are pregnant, or if you are a man and your sexual partner is pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while using these medicines together and for at least 6 months after treatment ends.

Before taking this medicine

Sofosbuvir with velpatasvir is sometimes used in combination with other antiviral medications. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication in your combination therapy.

When taking sofosbuvir and velpatasvir with other medicine: Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you to take, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant

It is not known if sofosbuvir and velpatasvir will harm your unborn baby.


Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir is sometimes used in combination with ribavirin. Ribavirin can harm an unborn baby if the mother or father is using ribavirin.

Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if sofosbuvir and velpatasvir passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with this medicine.

How should I take sofosbuvir and velpatasvir?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

How to take sofosbuvir and velpatasvir film-coated pellets 

How to take sofosbuvir and velpatasvir tablets

General information

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Hepatitis C: Usual Pediatric Dose for Chronic Hepatitis C (3 years or older): Duration of Treatment and recommended regime: Comments:

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, and then go back to your regular schedule. Do not use two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking sofosbuvir and velpatasvir?

Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HCV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have new or worsening symptoms such as:

If you also take a heart rhythm medicine called amiodarone: Taking amiodarone with sofosbuvir and velpatasvir can cause dangerous side effects on your heart. Get medical help right away if you take this medicine and you have:

Common side effects of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect sofosbuvir and velpatasvir?

When you start or stop taking this medicine, your doctor may need to adjust the doses of any other medicines you take on a regular basis.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective. Do not start taking a new medicine or stop a medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take sofosbuvir and velpatasvir with other medicines.

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 sofosbuvir and velpatasvir (with food).

Many drugs can affect sofosbuvir and velpatasvir. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

To check for interactions with this medicine click the link below.

Storage

Epclusa Brand

Ingredients

Epclusa Brand

Active ingredients: sofosbuvir and velpatasvir

Tablet inactive ingredients: copovidone, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose. The tablet film-coat contains iron oxide red, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Oral Pellets inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, copovidone, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose. The oral pellets film-coat contains amino methacrylate copolymer, colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose, L-tartaric acid, polyethylene glycol, stearic acid, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Manufacturer

Gilead Sciences, Inc. Foster City, CA 94404

Popular FAQ

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

Epclusa has a 98% overall cure rate in all 6 of the main types of hepatitis C in patients without cirrhosis (a serious liver disease) or with compensated cirrhosis (mild or no symptoms). Continue reading

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

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.