What is Epclusa?
What is Epclusa?Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) is a prescription medication used to treat chronic hepatitis C in adults. It is a combination of two antiviral medications, sofosbuvir and velpatasvir, which work by preventing the replication of the hepatitis C virus within the body.
How is Epclusa taken?Epclusa is taken orally, usually once a day for a period of 12 weeks. The exact dosing regimen may vary depending on factors such as the severity of the infection and the individual patient's medical history. Patients are advised to take the medication at the same time each day, with or without food.
What are the possible side effects of Epclusa?Like all medications, Epclusa can cause side effects. Some of the most common side effects reported by patients taking Epclusa include headache, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and insomnia. In rare cases, Epclusa can cause more serious side effects such as severe liver problems, allergic reactions, and CYP2B6 or CYP3A inducers.
What precautions should be taken while taking Epclusa?Before taking Epclusa, patients should inform their healthcare provider about any medical conditions they have or medications they take, as some drugs can interact with Epclusa. Epclusa is not recommended for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How effective is Epclusa?Epclusa is known to have very high cure rates for hepatitis C. In clinical studies, over 95% of patients who received Epclusa achieved sustained virologic response (SVR), which means that the virus was no longer detectable in their blood after treatment. Additionally, Epclusa has been shown to be effective in treating patients with all six major genotypes of hepatitis C.
In summary, Epclusa is a highly effective medication used to treat chronic hepatitis C in adults. Patients taking Epclusa should be aware of the possible side effects and precautions to take while taking the medication. It is always important to discuss any concerns or questions about treatment with a healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions about epclusa
EPCLUSA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with chronic (lasting a long time) hepatitis C (Hep C) genotype 1-6 infection with or without cirrhosis (compensated). In those with advanced cirrhosis (decompensated), EPCLUSA is used with ribavirin.
EPCLUSA contains the two medicines: sofosbuvir and velpatasvir. It is not known if EPCLUSA is safe and effective in children under 3 years of age. Medication Guide for important pregnancy, contraception, and infertility information.
In clinical studies, EPCLUSA was proven effective in treating chronic Hep C patients who had previously failed a peginterferon alfa- and ribavirin-based regimen, with or without a protease inhibitor. Protease inhibitors are a class of antiviral drugs used to treat Hep C and work by stopping the virus from replicating.
Epclusa is a brand-name medication that's also available as the generic drug sofosbuvir/velpatasvir. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug.
How does Epclusa work? Epclusa directly blocks the ability of the hepatitis C virus to make copies of itself in the liver. Sofosbuvir interferes with the reproduction of the genetic material of the hepatitis C virus and velpatasvir works by interfering with a protein needed by the virus.
Bottom Line. 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).
Epclusa is manufactured and marketed by Gilead Sciences, Inc., of Foster City, California.
How does Epclusa work? Epclusa directly blocks the ability of the hepatitis C virus to make copies of itself in the liver. Sofosbuvir interferes with the reproduction of the genetic material of the hepatitis C virus and velpatasvir works by interfering with a protein needed by the virus.
Bottom Line. 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).
Company: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
EPCLUSA can cause serious side effects, including:
If you have ever had hepatitis B, the hepatitis B virus could become active again during and after treatment with EPCLUSA.
EPCLUSA can cause serious side effects, including:
If you have ever had hepatitis B, the hepatitis B virus could become active again during and after treatment with EPCLUSA.
Company: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Epclusa (Sofosbuvir/ Velpatasvir) is an oral formulation developed by Gilead Sciences.
Epclusa is manufactured and marketed by Gilead Sciences, Inc., of Foster City, California.
Tiredness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, or difficulty sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
