sofosbuvir + velpatasvir at a glance
Medicine class
Direct-acting antiviral combination: an NS5B polymerase inhibitor and an NS5A inhibitor.
Licensed use
Chronic hepatitis C infection in patients aged 3 years and older.
Food
May be taken with or without food. Acid-reducing medicines can affect administration.
Available forms
Film-coated tablets and coated granules for oral use.
What is sofosbuvir + velpatasvir used for?
Licensed use:
Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in adults and children aged 3 years and older.
How does sofosbuvir + velpatasvir work?
Sofosbuvir is converted inside cells into an active form that stops the viral NS5B polymerase from extending hepatitis C RNA. Velpatasvir blocks NS5A, a viral protein needed to copy RNA and assemble new virus particles.
sofosbuvir + velpatasvir preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 200 mg + 50 mg, 400 mg + 100 mg
How to take sofosbuvir + velpatasvir
Follow the specialist team's instructions and do not stop treatment without discussing it with them.
Tablets may be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole; chewing or crushing is discouraged because they taste bitter.
Granules may be swallowed directly, with water, or sprinkled onto non-acidic soft food at or below room temperature.
When mixed with food, take the complete mixture within 15 minutes without chewing.
Check with the hepatitis C team before starting prescribed, over-the-counter or herbal products.
sofosbuvir + velpatasvir side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Rash
- Vomiting, reported particularly in younger children
Get urgent medical advice
- Swelling beneath the skin, especially around the face or throat
- Blistering or peeling skin, mouth ulcers or other features of a severe skin reaction
- Severe slowing of the heartbeat or heart block, particularly with amiodarone
- Hepatitis B reactivation in someone with current or previous hepatitis B infection
sofosbuvir + velpatasvir in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited, and product information does not recommend use during pregnancy as a precaution. Discuss pregnancy, suspected pregnancy or plans to conceive with the specialist team. Separate, stricter precautions apply if ribavirin is also used.
sofosbuvir + velpatasvir while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether the active substances or relevant metabolites enter human milk, and a risk to the infant cannot be excluded. Product information advises against use while breastfeeding; seek specialist advice about feeding and treatment options.
sofosbuvir + velpatasvir interactions
A full medication review is essential because some combinations can reduce antiviral exposure or increase toxicity.
Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampicin, rifabutin and St John’s wort
These combinations are contraindicated because they can substantially reduce antiviral exposure.
Efavirenz, modafinil, oxcarbazepine or rifapentine
These may lower sofosbuvir or velpatasvir exposure and co-administration is not recommended.
Amiodarone
Can cause serious symptomatic bradycardia or heart block. Use only when alternatives are unsuitable, with specialist cardiac monitoring.
Common questions about sofosbuvir + velpatasvir
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What infection does sofosbuvir + velpatasvir treat?
It is licensed to treat chronic hepatitis C virus infection in adults and children aged 3 years and older.
Can it be taken with food?
It can generally be taken with or without food, although special instructions apply when certain acid-reducing medicines cannot be avoided.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.