Sofosbuvir

Sofosbuvir is an FDA-approved antiviral medication. It can be used along with other medicine for the treatment of certain infections. Sofosbuvir in combination with other medications can help the immune system of the body to fight the infection. This medication has the strength of 400 mg tablet for oral use. 

What condition does Sofosbuvir treat?

Sofosbuvir is a prescription used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children who are at least 3 years old and in adults. This medicine must be used in combination with other antiviral medications and not should be used alone. Sofosbuvir can also be used to treat:

• Genotypes of hepatitis C
• HIV
• Liver cancer or who will be having a liver transplant
  

How does Sofosbuvir work?

Sofosbuvir belongs to new direct-acting antiviral medications that aim altered phases of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) lifecycle. It is a nucleotide analog HCV polymerase inhibitor which means it stops the polymerase enzyme that the virus uses to imitate. Sofosbuvir must be combined with other prescriptions, which might include pegylated interferons. It stimulates ribavirin, the immune response of your own body, or other direct-acting antivirals that work differently.

What is the dosage of Sofosbuvir?

Sofosbuvir comes as a tablet to be taken by mouth once a day. Each dose is usually taken with or without food. Take this medication at around the same time each day. Carefully follow the instructions on your prescription label and let your doctor explain any part you do not understand. Take this drug exactly as directed. Keep in mind to not take it more often, take more or less of it than prescribed by your doctor. Continue taking this medicine even if you feel well. Sofosbuvir should be taken along with ribavirin or Peginterferon Alfa.

• If Sofosbuvir is taken in combination with ribavirin or Peginterferon Alfa, it is usually taken for 12 weeks.
• If this medicine is taken in along with ribavirin alone, each dose is usually taken for 12 or 24 weeks.
• If you are waiting for a liver transplant or you have liver cancer, you will take Sofosbuvir with ribavirin for up to 48 weeks or until you have a liver transplant.

The length of your treatment is based on your medical condition, how fine you react to the medicine. It will also depend on whether you experience severe side effects. Do not stop taking this medication, ribavirin or Peginterferon Alfa unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you have any questions, call your doctor before taking a dose of Sofosbuvir. You should not suddenly stop using Sofosbuvir. Stopping the medication suddenly can make your hepatitis C difficult to cure with antiviral medication. 

What are the precautions in using Sofosbuvir?

• While you are taking this medicine, avoid taking an herbal supplement that has St. John’s wort.
• Using this medication will not prevent your disease from spreading. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent the transmission of hepatitis C during sex. Sharing medicine needles or certain drugs is never safe, even for a healthy person.
• When you start or stop taking this medicine, your doctor will require adjusting the doses of any other medications you take regularly.
• At times, it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Certain drugs might affect your blood levels of other medicines you take. It may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
• While you are having this treatment, you will need regular blood tests to check your liver function.
• Various medications may affect Sofosbuvir. This includes over-the-counter medicines and prescriptions, herbal products, and vitamins. Let your doctor know about all your current medications and any drugs you start or stop using.
• If you ever had hepatitis B, this virus might be active or get worse while you are using this medicine or in the months after you stop. You may need liver function tests for some months after your last dosage.
• Take all your medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dosing schedule or dose without the advice of your doctor. Each person with chronic hepatitis C must stay under the care of a doctor.
• Store this drug in the original container at room temperature far from heat and moisture.