Sofosbuvir

Where is Sofosbuvir used?

Sofosbuvir is used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infections. This medication helps lessen the amount of infection in your body that helps your liver recover. This is used with other antiviral medications to lessen the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body and helps the immune system of the body fight the infection. This is an FDA-approved prescription that comes as a tablet for oral use.

How does Sofosbuvir work?

Sofosbuvir is a type of drug known as an antiviral that works by blocking the action of an enzyme called NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in the hepatitis C virus. In which the virus needs to grow. This stops the hepatitis C virus from increasing, which lowers the amount of hepatitis C virus in the liver. This helps to decrease liver damage and progresses or improves the function of the liver.

Sofosbuvir should use in along with other medications that attack the hepatitis C virus in various ways. If this drug is used on its own, there is a high chance that the hepatitis C virus will become resistant to it. 

How to use Sofosbuvir?

Sofosbuvir is to be taken by mouth, usually with or without food once a day. Take this prescription at around the same time every day. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than it is prescribed by your doctor. If you vomit within two hours of taking a tablet you should take another one. If you vomit more than two hours after taking a tablet then you don’t need to take another tablet. This is because most of the dose of Sofosbuvir is absorbed within two hours of taking the tablet. 

  • If this is taken in combination with Ribavirin and Peginterferon Alfa, it is usually taken for 12 weeks.
  • If Sofosbuvir is to be taken in along with Ribavirin, it is usually for 12 to 24 weeks.

The length of your treatment depends on how well you respond to the medication, on your condition, and whether you experience severe side effects. Do not stop taking Sofosbuvir, Peginterferon Alfa, or Ribavirin unless your doctor told you to do so. 

What are the side-effects of Sofosbuvir?

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Itching
  • Rash
  • Weakness
  • Decreased appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Irritability 

What are the precautions in using Sofosbuvir?

  • This medication can cause dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, and affect concentration in some people. You must be careful when doing potentially risky activities such as operating machinery or driving until you know how this medication might affect you.
  • While you are taking this medication, the amount of hepatitis C virus in your body and your liver function should be monitored regularly. This will involve having blood tests before, during, and after treatment with Sofosbuvir. 
  • People taking certain other medicines, women who are breastfeeding or pregnant, and people allergic to any ingredient of this medication should not take it. 
  • The safety and effectiveness of this drug in children aged less than 12 years have not yet been established. The manufacturer does not recommend it as well for this age group. 
  • If there are any signs of an overdose happen, call your doctor right away or call for medical help.