Sovaldi (Sofosbuvir) Oral: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

Brand: Sovaldi

Generic: Sofosbuvir

Sovaldi (Sofosbuvir) is used to treat hepatitis C. It works by preventing hepatitis C virus from multiplying inside the body.

Doctors prescribe Sovaldi to treat hepatitis C cases with genotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4. Sovalidi must be used together with the medications Ribavirin or in combination with Pegylated Interferon (Peginterferon) and Ribavirin. Sovaldi may also be used with the drug Daclatasvir to treat hepatitis C genotype 3. Sovaldi cannot be used alone.

In clinical trials, Sovaldi caused a cure in more than 90% of hepatitis C patients who took it.

Sovaldi requires doctor’s prescription. Treatment with Sovaldi depends on the patient’s viral genotype and the presence of other medical conditions.

The doctor will consider the following in prescribing Sovaldi.

Pregnancy

Make sure to notify your doctor if you are pregnant before receiving Sovaldi. You cannot have treatment with Sovaldi if you are pregnant. Ribavirin and Peginterferon used in combination with Sovaldi can cause birth defects or fetal death in unborn babies in pregnant patients. Your doctor may order a pregnancy test first before prescribing Sovaldi.

Male patients having treatment with Sovaldi must not get their partners pregnant or must not have unprotected sex with their partners.

Health conditions

Tell to the doctor all of your health problems before starting treatment with Sovaldi. Your doctor must know if you have any of the following health problems:

Any liver problems other than hepatitis, such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure
If you have had a liver transplant
Kidney disease, or if you are on a dialysis
Having HIV
If you are taking the drug Amiodarone for treatment of irregular heart rhythm

Drug interactions

Tell all the medicines you take to the doctor before starting on Sovaldi. Sovaldi may interact with certain drugs and cause serious adverse effects. Make sure the doctor know if you use any of the following medicines:

Phenobarbital
Amiodarone
Carbamazepine
Fosphenytoin
Rifampin
Modafinil
Oxcarbazepine
Phenytoin
Primidone
St. John’s wort
Tipranavir

Sovaldi is supplied in tablets that you take by mouth. Your doctor will determine your treatment regimen with Sovaldi based on your hepatitis C virus genotype and presence of other hepatitis C complications. Always follow the dosage of Sovaldi and other drugs as prescribed by the doctor.

You can take Sovaldi with or without food. Take Sovaldi at the same time every day.

Sovaldi is usually taken once a day, along with Ribavirin or with Ribavirin and Peginterferon. Depending on the genotype of the virus, Sovaldi may be taken for 12 weeks to 24 weeks. For liver cancer patients that will undergo liver transplantation, they may take Sovaldi with Ribavirin for up to 48 weeks or until the time of liver transplant, whichever occurs first.

You must visit your doctor frequently when taking Sovaldi.

It is very important not to miss any doses of Sovaldi to prevent hepatitis C virus from acquiring resistance to treatment that makes it harder to treat. If you missed a dose of Sovaldi, take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the original dosing schedule. Do not increase the dose of Sovaldi to make up for the missed dose.

You can overdose on Sovaldi if you take too many tablets. If this happens, call emergency medical services right away.

Store Sovaldi at room temperature at its original container away from moisture and heat.

It is very important to have regular checkups and lab tests when taking Sovaldi. In this way, your doctor can check your progress or check for early signs of side effects. Make sure to keep up with doctor’s appointments when taking Sovaldi.

You must still stick to precautions to prevent passing hepatitis C virus to others. This means you avoid unprotected sex, sharing razors, syringes, snorting straws, or toothbrushes.

If you are a woman, you have to make sure not to get pregnant when taking Sovaldi. Male patients must also avoid getting their partners from becoming pregnant. Use two forms of barrier birth control, such as condoms and diaphragm with spermicide, to prevent pregnancy. Call the doctor right away if you became pregnant, or made someone pregnant while having treatment with Sovaldi.

Sovaldi may cause side effects that require medical attention. Call the doctor if you experience the following conditions:

Severe allergic reaction symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, skin rash, swelling of the mouth, nose, tongue, or throat.
Fever, swelling of gums, appearance of painful mouth sores, cold or flu symptoms, and cough
Paleness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, and trouble concentrating

Sovaldi may cause minor side effects such as: