Epclusa: Uses, indications and precautions when using

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Chronic hepatitis C is a disease that can leave serious sequelae on the liver such as cirrhosis or liver cancer if not treated promptly. Therefore, patients need to use antiviral drugs to support the body and help the liver recover. Among them is a product that combines 2 antiviral drugs, Epclusa. So what does Epclusa do?

1. What effect does Epclusa have?

What is Epclusa? This is a combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir, used to treat chronic hepatitis C - a disease caused by a viral infection in the liver.
Epclusa can be used in combination with another antiviral medicine (ribavirin). These drugs work by reducing the hepatitis C virus load in the body, helping the immune system fight the virus, and possibly helping the liver recover. Untreated chronic hepatitis C infection can cause serious problems such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Epclusa can help people with hepatitis C, but it can make hepatitis B worse. Before you start taking Epclusa, you should tell your doctor if you have ever had hepatitis B in the past.
In addition, you should promptly contact your doctor if you develop new or worsening symptoms of liver disease while taking Epclusa such as nausea, vomiting that does not stop, loss of appetite, stomach pain, abdominal pain, urine. dark or yellow eyes, jaundice.

2. Instructions for using Epclusa

Take Epclusa by mouth, with or without food, as directed by your doctor, usually 1 time per day. The dose of Epclusa for children is based on age and weight. Medicines work best when the concentration of the drug in the body is kept at a steady level. Therefore, patients should take Epclusa regularly at evenly spaced times, to make it easier to remember, patients should take the medicine at the same time each day.
Continue taking Epclusa for the full prescribed time, even if symptoms disappear after a period of use. Stopping Epclusa too soon can cause the hepatitis virus to return. Antacids reduce the absorption of velpatasvir. If the patient is taking antacids, take them at least 4 hours before or after taking Epclusa. Other stomach acid reducers to treat indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers (such as prescription or over-the-counter medicines including famotidine, omeprazole) may inhibit the effects of velpatasvir.

3. Side effects of Epclusa

Common side effects of Epclusa include:
Fatigue; Headache; Nausea; Diarrhea ; Difficulty sleeping. If any of the effects of Epclusa persist or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following uncommon serious side effects of Epclusa:
Mental/mood changes (such as depression); Unusual fatigue. A very serious allergic reaction to Epclusa is very rare with symptoms including: rash, itching or swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

4. Note when using Epclusa

Before being treated with Epclusa, the patient should tell the doctor or pharmacist if there is a history of allergic reactions to sofosbuvir or velpatasvir or other allergic conditions. Epclusa products contain inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Before using Epclusa, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other liver problems (such as hepatitis B), diabetes.
If the patient has diabetes, blood sugar levels may be lower with hepatitis C treatment. This can increase the risk of hypoglycemia, so your doctor can adjust your diabetes treatment plan. the patient's sugar when using Epclusa. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of low blood sugar such as sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness or tingling in the hands or feet.
During pregnancy, Epclusa should be used only when clearly needed after discussing the risks and benefits with your doctor. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir in combination with ribavirin should not be used by pregnant women or their male partners, the combination may harm an unborn baby. Two reliable forms of birth control (eg, condoms, birth control pills) should always be used when the patient or sexual partner is using these drugs together and for 6 months after stopping treatment. If the patient or the patient's partner becomes pregnant or suspects pregnancy, the physician should be informed immediately.
There are no firm studies on whether Epclusa passes into breast milk, so consult your doctor before use in nursing women. Breastfeeding is not recommended if Epclusa is used in combination with ribavirin.

5. Epclusa drug interactions

Drug interactions can change the way Epclusa works or increase your risk of serious side effects. One product that may interact with Epclusa is: amiodarone. In addition, Epclusa may slow the removal of other medicines from the body that affect how these medicines work (e.g., topotecan).
Other drugs that can affect the removal of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir from your body which may affect how Epclusa works include: efavirenz, rifamycins (rifampin, rifabutin), tipranavir/ritonavir , medicines for seizures (phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone)...
Do not take Epclusa with other products containing sofosbuvir. Tests such as liver function, hepatitis B and C tests should be done before starting, during, and after completing treatment with Epclusa.
If the patient is taking Epclusa with ribavirin, the female patient or the male patient's partner should take a pregnancy test before starting this medicine. A rapid pregnancy test should also be done every month during Epclusa and for 6 months after treatment ends to make sure you and your partner are not pregnant.
Epclusa is a combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir, used to treat chronic hepatitis C - a disease caused by a viral infection in the liver. To ensure the effectiveness of treatment, patients need to take the medicine according to the prescription and follow the instructions of the doctor and pharmacist.

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Reference source: webmd.com