Sofosbuvir
About Sofosbuvir
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.
Uses of Sofosbuvir
Medicinal Benefits
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).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sofosbuvir
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling tired and irritable
- Feeling dizzy
- Loss of appetite
Drug Warnings
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 Interactions
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.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorThe interaction of alcohol with Sofosbuvir is unknown. If you have any concerns regarding this, please discuss them with your doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeSofosbuvir 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.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Sofosbuvir is excreted in human milk. Therefore, if you are a breastfeeding mother, please inform your doctor before taking Sofosbuvir.
Driving
cautionSofosbuvir 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.
Liver
consult your doctorIf you have a liver problem, inform your doctor before taking Sofosbuvir.
Kidney
cautionIf you have kidney problems or if you are on kidney dialysis, inform your doctor before taking Sofosbuvir.
Children
cautionIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Sofosbuvir in children, please consult a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains such as brown rice, oats, quinoa and barley.
- Eat lean protein such as skinless chicken, fish, beans and egg whites.
- Include healthy fats like avocados, olive oil and nuts.
- Eat low-fat or non-fat dairy products to minimise damage to the liver.
- Drink plenty of water for better processing of food by the body.
- Avoid sugary foods such as cake, cookies, packaged baked food or soda. Also, avoid heavy salt foods.
- Avoid foods containing saturated fats such as fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, sour cream, butter and other high-fat dairy products, as they may lead to weight gain and result in fatty liver.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption as they may increase the risk of liver damage.
Special Advise
- Your doctor will recommend blood tests before, during and after your treatment with Sofosbuvir to decide what other medicines you should take with Sofosbuvir and for how long and also to confirm that your treatment has worked for you.
- If you are using warfarin or other blood thinners, inform your doctor. Your doctor may increase the frequency of your blood tests to check how well your blood can clot.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
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).
FAQs
Sofosbuvir is used to treat Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
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. Thus, it helps in reducing the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Hepatitis C virus infection is contagious and spreads from one person to another through contact with an infected person’s blood. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid sharing personal items or needles containing an infected person's blood.
Sofosbuvir should be used with caution in diabetic patients as it may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) after starting the treatment. Therefore, if you have diabetes, inform your doctor before taking Sofosbuvir. Your doctor may monitor you closely, check your blood sugar levels or adjust your diabetes medication after starting Sofosbuvir.
No, Sofosbuvir is not a protease inhibitor. It is an antiviral medication called nucleotide polymerase inhibitor used to treat hepatitis C infection. It works by blocking the action of an enzyme called NS5B polymerase, which the hepatitis C virus needs to replicate and spread. On the other hand, protease inhibitors target a different enzyme called protease.
Sofosbuvir is an antiviral medication that can effectively treat Hepatitis C. When used in combination with other antiviral medications (such as ribavirin), it can offer a high chance of curing the infection. However, treatment success depends on several factors, including the type of Hepatitis C, the stage of liver damage, other underlying conditions, and how well the patient responds to the medication. Always follow your doctor's advice carefully and attend regular check-ups during and after treatment for the best chance of a successful cure.
Sofosbuvir may cause side effects like fever, headache, and nausea in some individuals. However, only some experience them. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. If they persist or worsen, consult your doctor.
