Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir: Uses, indications and precautions when using

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The ledipasvir-sofosbuvir combination offers an effective option in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The following article provides some information about the effects as well as important notes when using this drug.

1. What does Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir do?

Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir contains 2 main ingredients, ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, and is used to treat chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C, a viral infection of the liver. It can sometimes be combined with another antiviral medicine (ribavirin).

2. How to use Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir

If you are using the granular form of this medicine, shake the pack gently before use. If taking the medicine without food, open the package and pour the medicine directly into your mouth. Swallow the tablet without chewing. You can drink water after swallowing the tablet if needed. Repeat these steps if your dose is more than one pack.
If you are taking this medication with food, open the package(s) and pour the tablet(s) into a small bowl with one or more tablespoons of soft non-acidic food (such as pudding, mashed potatoes, ice cream). Soft foods should be at or below room temperature. After gently mixing, swallow all of the mixture without chewing within 30 minutes.
If you vomit within 5 hours of taking the medicine, tell your doctor to take another dose.
Keep taking ledipasvir, sofosbuvir for the full time prescribed, even if symptoms disappear after a short time. Stopping the medication too soon can cause the infection to return.
Antacids reduce the absorption of ledipasvir so if taking antacids at the same time, take them 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking this medicine. Other acid-reducing medicines for indigestion, heartburn, or stomach ulcers (such as prescription or over-the-counter medicines including famotidine, omeprazole) may prevent ledipasvir from working effectively.

3. Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir side effects

Some possible side effects when taking Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir medicine such as fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea or trouble sleeping. If any of these effects persist or become more severe, tell your treating doctor.

4. Be careful when using Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir drug

Before taking ledipasvir / sofosbuvir, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to either medicine; or if you are allergic to any other substances.
Although this medicine helps many people with hepatitis C, it can make people with another liver problem called hepatitis B worse.
Before you start taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have ever had hepatitis B. Tell your doctor right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of liver disease, such as sadness. vomiting/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, or yellowing of eyes/skin. Also, if you have diabetes, your blood sugar may be lower with hepatitis C treatment. This can increase your risk of hypoglycemia, so your doctor may need to adjust your plan. your diabetes treatment plan. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of low blood sugar such as sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, tingling in the hands or feet.
If you are pregnant, take this medicine only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits of Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir treatment with your doctor. Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, in combination with ribavirin, must not be used during pregnancy by a pregnant woman or her male partner. Two reliable forms of contraception (eg, condoms, birth control pills) must be used whenever at least one sexual partner is using these drugs concurrently and for six months after stopping treatment. .
Breastfeeding is not recommended if you are being treated with this medicine in combination with ribavirin.
You should have laboratory tests such as liver function, hepatitis B and C tests done before you start using this medicine, while you are using it, and after you finish treatment.
If you are using this medicine with ribavirin, female patients or male patients' partners should have a pregnancy test before starting this medicine. It is also recommended to have a monthly pregnancy test while using this medicine and for 6 months after treatment ends to make sure you are not pregnant.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is less than 6 hours until the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual.

5. Drug interactions

Share information about all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) with your doctor. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's approval.
Some drugs that may interact with this drug include: Amiodarone, certain other medicines used to treat chronic hepatitis C (simeprevir).
Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir may slow the elimination of other medicines from your body such as flbanserin, rosuvastatin. Conversely, certain other drugs can affect the removal of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir from the body, including rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), St. John's wort, tipranavir/ritonavir, medicines used to treat seizures (such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone).
Do not combine this medicine with other drugs containing sofosbuvir.

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Reference source: webmd.com