Sofosbuvir works by preventing the hepatitis C virus (HCV) from multiplying, reducing the amount of HCV in your body. However, it may not effectively stop the spread of hepatitis C to others.
This medication is available in oral tablets and pellets to be taken by mouth. You can only receive Sovaldi by prescription.
What Is Sovaldi Used For?
Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) is used with ribavirin to treat chronic hepatitis C infection. The length of treatment with sofosbuvir is based on the strain of the virus.
Brand Name(s): Sovaldi
Drug Availability: Prescription
Administration Route: Oral
Therapeutic Classification: Antiviral
Available Generically: No
Controlled Substance: N/A
Active Ingredient: Sofosbuvir
Dosage Form(s): Tablet, pellets
Chronic HCV is a long-lasting infection that occurs when your body can’t fight off the virus. It is characterized by liver inflammation that lasts for six months or longer. Treating chronic HCV is important for preventing serious health problems, such as liver damage.
The virus may reactivate in people who have had hepatitis B or who carry the virus during or after treatment with drugs like Sovaldi. This can result in severe and fatal liver issues or death. Hence, your healthcare provider will test you for hepatitis B before using this drug.
How to Take Sovaldi
When taking sofosbuvir tablets, you can take them with or without food. It is usually prescribed to take at the same time each day.
Pellets can also be taken with or without food. However, to prevent a bitter aftertaste, you could pour the contents of the packet directly into your mouth and swallow it without chewing. If necessary, drink water afterward.
If taking the pellets with food, mix one spoonful of non-acidic soft foods (e.g., mashed potatoes, pudding, ice cream, chocolate syrup) at or below room temperature with the contents of the package. Swallow the mixture within 30 minutes of mixing. Toss any leftovers after 30 minutes.
Take this drug exactly the way your healthcare provider tells you to. It is crucial that you do not miss or skip a dose of this medication.
Storage
Store at room temperature below 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in its original container away from moisture in a dry place. Do not store it in a bathroom. Keep all your medicines away from pets and children.
Discard all unused and expired drugs. Do not throw them down your toilet, drain, or sink. Instead, ask your pharmacist about the best way to dispose of your medicine. There may be local drug take-back locations near you.
What Are the Side Effects of Sovaldi?
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Common Side Effects
Sovaldi may cause little to no side effects in some people. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if your side effects do not go away or become bothersome. Some common side effects include:
Headache Nausea Trouble sleeping
Severe Side Effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately If you have any severe side effects. Call 911 if you have a medical emergency or if your symptoms appear to be life-threatening. Serious side effects of sofosbuvir include:
Severe loss of strength and energyLiver problems: Signs may include yellowing of the skin (jaundice), dark urine, vomiting, abdominal pain, light-colored stools, fatigue, lack of appetite, and nausea. Allergic reactions: Signs can include wheezing, itching, rash, hives, tightness in the chest or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, and unusual hoarseness.
This is not a complete list of all possible adverse effects. Speak with your healthcare provider before starting Sovaldi to learn more about any potential risks.
Dosage: How Much of Sovaldi Should I Take?
Modifications
Due to the possible effects of this medication, there may be changes to how it is used. Therefore, users need to be aware of the following when taking Sovaldi:
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your healthcare provider may send a report to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For oral dosage forms (pellets or tablets): For hepatitis C virus infection, in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin: Adults—400 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken for 12 or 24 weeks. Children 3 years of age and older weighing at least 35 kilograms (kg)—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually one 400 mg tablet once a day or two 200 mg tablets once a day, or two 200 mg packets of pellets once a day, taken for 12 or 24 weeks. Children 3 years of age and older weighing 17 to less than 35 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually one 200 mg tablet once a day or one 200 mg packet of pellets once a day, taken for 12 or 24 weeks. Children 3 years of age and older weighing less than 17 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually one 150 mg packet of pellets once a day, taken for 12 or 24 weeks. Children younger than 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Diabetes: Your risk for hypoglycemia increases with Sovaldi, especially within the first three months. Your healthcare provider may have to adjust the dosing of your diabetes medications to reduce this risk.
Amiodarone use: Sovaldi increases the side effects of amiodarone. It causes a very low heart rate (bradycardia), sometimes requiring a pacemaker. Bradycardia may happen within hours or days to up to two weeks after taking these drugs together. It typically goes away once you stop sofosbuvir. Seek medical help if you experience:
Shortness of breath Confusion Fainting or near-fainting dizziness Chest pains Weakness Memory issues
Pregnancy: Sovaldi may cross the placenta. Hence, people with HCV who are of childbearing potential should consider postponing pregnancy until treatment is done to lower the risk of transferring the virus to the fetus.
Breastfeeding: It is unknown if Sovaldi passes through breast milk, and there is no link between breastfeeding and the spread of the hepatitis C virus. However, since HCV is spread by infected blood, do not breastfeed if your nipples are cracked or bleeding. Also, breastfeeding is not advised if you have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection.
Missed Dose
It is important not to miss or skip a dose of this medication during treatment. If you miss a dose, take it once you remember. If you do not remember the dose you missed until the next day, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular schedule. Do not take more than one dose of this medicine on the same day. Call your healthcare provider if you’re unsure what to do if you miss a dose.
Overdose: What Happens If I Use Too Much Sovaldi?
If you think you’ve overdosed on Sovaldi, contact your healthcare provider or the Poison Control Center. There is no specific antidote to treat a sofosbuvir overdose; you may need to be monitored for potential toxicity or adverse events.
Precautions
What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Take Sovaldi?
Do not take Sovaldi with ribavirin or peginterferon if you are pregnant or have a pregnant partner.
If someone collapses or isn’t breathing after taking Sovaldi, call 911 immediately.
Using this medicine together with ribavirin while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. These medicines may also cause birth defects if the father is using it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. If a pregnancy occurs while you are using these medicines, tell your doctor right away.
Using this medicine with amiodarone may cause bradycardia. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, shortness of breath, slow or uneven heartbeat, or unusual tiredness.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John’s wort) or vitamin supplements.
What Other Medications Interact With Sovaldi?
Certain medications affect how well Sovaldi works.
The following medications are not recommended to take with Sovaldi:
Anticonvulsants (drugs used to treat seizure disorders) such as Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), Mysoline (primidone), and phenobarbital Antimycobacterials (drugs used to treat Mycobacterium infections) such as Mycobutin (rifabutin) and Priftin (rifapentine) HIV protease inhibitors like Aptivus (tipranavir) Antiarrhythmics (drugs used to treat abnormal heart rhythms) such as amiodarone
This is not a complete list of drug interactions that can occur with Sovaldi. Consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a full list of potential interactions.
What Medications Are Similar?
Medications similar to sofosbuvir used to treat chronic hepatitis C infections include:
Harvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir) Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir) Vosevi (sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir)
This list lists drugs also prescribed to treat chronic hepatitis C infections. It is NOT a list of medicines recommended to take with Sovaldi. Do not take these drugs together unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Sovaldi?
Hepatitis C can be managed by regularly taking your medication. However, Sovaldi may cause mild side effects, like headache and nausea, and severe side effects are also possible. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects experienced while on your treatment.
Additionally, HCV treatments can be costly. If you have trouble affording your medication or do not have health insurance, consider looking into payment assistance programs.
Always remember, you are not alone. Joining a support group near you can help provide emotional support as you cope with living with hepatitis C. Your healthcare team is also available for any questions or concerns you have about your treatment or lifestyle adjustments.
