Sovaldi
Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) is an expensive antiviral medication used with other antiviral medications to treat chronic hepatitis C infection.
What is Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)?
What is Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) used for?
- Hepatitis C infection genotype 1, 2, 3, 4
How Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) works
Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) is a direct-acting antiviral medication. It stops an enzyme that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) needs for replication. Without the enzyme, HCV can't make more viruses in your body.
Drug facts
Side effects of Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Since Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) is always taken with other medications it is difficult to know what side effects this specific medication causes. Many of these side effects may be caused by other hepatitis C medications, such as ribavirin and peginterferon.
- Fatigue, tireness (38%)
- Headache (24%)
- Nausea (22%)
- Trouble sleeping, insomnia (15%)
- Itchy skin (11%)
- Anemia/low blood count (10%)
- Irritability (10%)
- Rash (8%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Low appetite
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Chills
The following Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Chills
lower back or side pain
pale skin
ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
Changes in behavior
discouragement
feeling sad or empty
loss of interest or pleasure
thoughts of killing oneself
trouble concentrating
Incidence not known
Chest pain or discomfort
lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
shortness of breath
slow or irregular heartbeat
unusual tiredness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)
Pros
- Only taken once a day
- Successful treatment means a cure of hepatitis C
- Can be used in children age 3 years and older
- Fewer side effects than other hepatitis C medications, like ribavirin and interferon
- Available in antiviral combination medications
Cons
- Can be very expensive
- Must be used in combination with other antiviral medications
- Not a good option for people taking amiodarone because the combination can cause serious drops in heart rate
- Doesn't treat all 6 types of hepatitis C
- Some people who have hepatitis B and C have had their hepatitis B come back after taking hepatitis C treatment
Pharmacist tips for Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)
- Take Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) around the same time each day to keep the medication levels in your body consistent. It can be taken with or without food.
- Get your labs drawn when your provider instructs you to. This is how they will monitor your liver and make sure the medication is working against the virus. An important lab called "SVR" will be drawn 12 weeks after you have stopped the medication. The results of this lab will determine if you have been cured of hepatitic C.
- Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) can interact with other medications. Tell your provider all the medications you are taking so they can check for iteractions. Do not take the herbal supplement St. John's wort while you taking medications for hepatitis C.
- Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) needs to be taken with other antiviral medications for the treatment of hepatitis C. If your provider instructs you to stop your HCV treatment, all the antivirals should be stopped at the same time so the virus doesn't become resistant to any of the medications. Make sure you clarify all medication questions with your providers before starting or stopping any medications.
- Do not chew the oral pellets. They can either be taken directly from the packet or sprinkled on non-acidic soft food. Non-acidic soft foods include: pudding, chocolate syrup, mashed potatoes, and ice cream.
Common questions about Sovaldi
Yes, a successful treatment with antiviral medications is considered a cure for heptitis C.
It's not likely that heptitis C will come back after achieving "SVR," which is considered a cure. However, treatment of hepatitis C doesn't make you immune to the virus, so it's possible to become reinfected. After treatment it's important to continue to protect yourself from hepatitis C and not receive unclean tattoos or share things like razors and needles.
Avoid alcohol while taking Sovaldi. It's not known if alcohol interacts with the medication, but alcohol and hepatitis C can both damage the liver.
There are a few possible explanations for the high price tag of Sovaldi. As a medication class, many of the hepatitis C antivirals have high cure rates and are usually very expensive. Sovaldi is currently only available as a brand name medication, which are typically more expensive than generic medications. Even though Sovaldi is brand name only on it's own, it is actually available in generic antiviral combinations such as Epclusa and Harvoni.
Sovaldi is an antiviral medication used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. It will not work for any other type of bacterial or viral infection.
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Risks and warnings for Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)
Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
HEPATITIS B REACTIVATION
- Risk factors: History of hepatitis B infection
Some people who have both hepatitis B and C have had their hepatitis B reactivate or flare up after starting treatment for hepatitic C. This can cause liver problems if not caught and treated. You should be tested for hepatitis B before you start Sovaldi (sofosbuvir). Tell your provider if you've ever had hepatitis B or been treated for it in the past.
SLOW HEART RATE
- Risk factors: Amiodarone | Beta blockers | Heart disease | Liver disease
There have been cases of slow heartbeat and fatal heart problems when people take amiodarone (Pacerone) and Sovaldi (sofosbuvir). It usually happens right after Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) is started, but can also happen weeks after the combination is taken. It's more likely to happen in people also taking beta blockers or with severe liver problems. Tell your provider if you are taking or have recently taken amiodarone. They may choose a different hepatitic C medication for you, or closely monitor your heartbeat. Go to the emergency room right away if you take these medications together and feel faint, dizzy, weak, or have trouble breathing.
RIBAVIRIN RISKS
- Risk factors: Taking ribavirin with Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)
In addition to Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), many people may need to take an antiviral medication called ribavirin. Ribavirin can have a lot of side effects and should not be taken during pregnancy. Make sure to review this medication with your provider and pharmacist before starting your hepatitis C treatment.
Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 packets of oral pellets of 150mg | 28 cartons | $26,886.25 | $960.22 |
| 28 packets of oral pellets of 200mg | 1 carton | $966.25 | $966.25 |
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400mg | 28 tablets | $26,886.25 | $960.22 |
| 200mg | 30 tablets | $28,806.25 | $960.21 |
Typical dosage for Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)
Adults: 400 mg once a day with or without food, for 12 or 24 weeks
Children: dose is based on the child's weight
Interactions between Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amiodarone
- Capmatinib
- Carbamazepine
- Fosphenytoin
- Phenytoin
- Rifapentine
- St John's Wort
- Tipranavir
- Warfarin
How much does Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) cost?
$966.25
What are alternatives to Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)?
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