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Uses

What is Epclusa used for?

Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) is commonly used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Learn more about Treating Chronic Hepatitis C With Epclusa.

Epclusa may also be used for other conditions determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Epclusa work (mechanism of action)?

Epclusa consists of two medicines: sofosbuvir and velpatasvir. They both prevent the virus from making copies of itself. Thus, they work to reduce the virus in your body. 

How is Epclusa supplied (dosage forms)?

Epclusa is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

  • 150 mg/37.5 mg per packet oral pellets
  • 200 mg/50 mg per packet oral pellets
  • 200 mg/50 mg oral tablets
  • 400 mg/100 mg oral tablets

How should I store Epclusa?

Epclusa should be stored below 86 F (30 C). Keep the medicine in the original packaging.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Epclusa?

The most common side effects of Epclusa are listed below. These side effects may vary if you take Epclusa with another medicine for hepatitis C. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Tiredness
  • Nausea or vomiting

There may be other side effects of Epclusa that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Epclusa?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Epclusa are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Epclusa may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Epclusa and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation. If you have hepatitis B virus in your body or have had hepatitis B in the past, Epclusa could make the virus active again. Keep all appointments for blood work before starting Epclusa and during treatment. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hepatitis.

  • Unusual tiredness
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
  • Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Fever or chills
  • Pain in your side
  • Stool (poop) that is clay-colored

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Epclusa?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Epclusa.

  • Epclusa
  • Sofosbuvir
  • Velpatasvir
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Epclusa.

What should I know about Epclusa before using it?

Do not take Epclusa unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Epclusa with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Epclusa out of the reach of children.

Swallow Epclusa oral pellets whole to avoid a bitter taste. Do not chew them. For children younger than 6 years of age, take the pellets with food. Food can be one or more spoonfuls of pudding, chocolate syrup, or ice cream.

Make sure that you get refills before you run out of medicine. The amount of medicine in your blood will be lowered if you miss doses.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Epclusa?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Epclusa is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Past or current hepatitis B infection
  • Liver problems other than hepatitis C infection
  • Liver transplant
  • Kidney problems or on dialysis
  • HIV infection
  • Diabetes

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Epclusa could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Epclusa passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Epclusa while breastfeeding.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Epclusa may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Epclusa, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

How can I get more information about Epclusa?

For more information about Epclusa, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.epclusa.com  or call them at 800-445-3235.

Interactions

Does Epclusa interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Epclusa and foods or drinks. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Epclusa.

Does Epclusa interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Epclusa interacts with many other medicines. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss with your healthcare provider if you are using any of the following before taking Epclusa.

  • An antacid containing calcium, aluminum, or magnesium
  • An H2 blocker, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid, Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid)
  • A medicine for diabetes
  • A proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex)
  • Amiodarone (Pacerone and others), which is a medicine used for an irregular heart rhythm
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Topotecan (Hycamtin), which is a medicine used to treat certain types of cancers
  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • Phenobarbital, which is a medicine that may be used to treat seizures
  • Rifampin (Rifadin) or rifapentine (Priftin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Rifabutin (Mycobutin), which is a medicine used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex disease
  • A medicine for HIV or AIDS
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
  • Atorvastatin (Lipitor and others) or rosuvastatin, which is a medicine to lower cholesterol
  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner 

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Epclusa, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Epclusa. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Epclusa?

If you or someone else has used too much Epclusa, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Epclusa?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

Missing doses of Epclusa can cause it to not work as well over time. So, it is important not to miss or skip doses.

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