Oral Medications available for the treatment of Hep C

We will only discuss about the recent developments in treating Hepatitis C. We hope by now you have overcome the stigma behind this virus and contemplate getting rid of it and living a normal healthy life.

Remember that the most important factor in determining your right treatment is to get tested for a genotype. 

The generic market in India opened to 120 low and middle income countries in January releasing the generic version of Harvoni licensed by Gilead. The other treatments available are Sovaldi, Ribavirin and Daklinza.

These recently developed oral medications have been clinically tested, and have shown remarkable results in patients successfully being cured.

We will give you an outline of basic information of each one of these meds used for treating Hep C.  

Gilead recently developed Epclusa and has received FDA approval. The generic version under the license of Gilead is set to come out in the markets in India. They will be available to 120 low and middle income countries.

Another important medication developed by Gilead and approved by the FDA recently is being awaited and clinically tested. Epclusa is an addition to the existing line of medications available for Hep C treatment.

All medications have been developed by Gilead Inc and under its license are 10+ Indian pharmaceutical companies manufacturing the generic version.

Generic Harvoni:

Harvoni is a prescription medicine used with or without Ribavirin to treat chronic Hep c for genotype: 1, 4, 5 or 6 infection.

It contains the prescription medicines Ledipasvir 90mg and Sofosbuvir 400mg. It is not known if Harvoni is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

You should consult your health care provider or your physician before taking this medication. Before taking Harvoni tell your physician if you have liver problems other than Hep C infection, have had a liver transplant, have severe kidney problems or you are on dialysis, have HIV infection, have any other medical condition, are pregnant. It is not known if Harvoni will harm your unborn baby.

Talk to your physician or your health care provider in detail regarding the medications you are currently taking including prescription and over the counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Harvoni and other medicines may affect each other. This can cause you to have too much or not enough Harvoni or other medicines in your body. This may affect the way Harvoni or your other medicines work or may lead to side effects. Keep a list of your medicines to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

Take Harvoni exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Do not change your dose unless healthcare provider tells you to.

Do not stop talking Harvoni without first talking with your healthcare provider. Take 1 Harvoni tablet one time each day and at the same time each day. Take Harvoni with or without food. It is also important that you do not skip doses of Harvoni during treatment. If you take too much Harvoni call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Generic Sovaldi:

Sovaldi is another oral medication to treat Hep C for genotype 1, 2, 3 or 4. Sovaldi contains 400mg Sovosbuvir and is taken once daily with our without food. It should be used in combination with Ribavirin or in combination with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin for the treatment of Hep C. There are various recommended combinations,

Genotype 1 or 4 Sovaldi/ Peg Inferon Alfa/ Ribavirin 12 Weeks

Genotype 2      Sovaldi/ Ribavirin                               12 Weeks

Genotype 3      Sovaldi/ Ribavirin                               24 Weeks

Sovaldi in combination with Ribavirin for 24 weeks can be considered for patients with genotype 1 infection who are interferon ineligible.

Should be used in combination of Ribvarin for treatment of HCV in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma awaiting liver transplantation for up to 48 weeks or until liver transplantation whichever occurs first.

Sovaldi dosage recommendation cannot be made for patients with severe renal impairment or end stage renal disease.

The most common adverse events observed with Sovaldi in combination with Ribavirin were fatigue and headache. The most common adverse events observed with Sovaldi in combination with peginterferon alfa and Ribavirin were fatigue, headache, nausea, insomnia and anemia.

If the other agents used in combination of Sovaldi are permanently discontinued, Sovaldi should also be discontinued.

Generic Epclusa

Epclusa is a fixed-dose combination of Sofosbuvir 400mg and Velpatasvir 100mg.

It is taken orally once daily with our without food. It is the first of its kind in the history of available 

Hep C medication treating pan genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. Patients without cirrhosis are recommended Epclusa for 12 weeks and Patients wit decompensated cirrhosis are recommended Epclusa plus Ribavirin for 12 weeks. A dosage recommendation cannot be made for patients with severe renal impairment or end stage renal disease.

The most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 10%) observed were headache and fatigue for 12 week treatment. The most common adverse reactions ( incidence greater than or equal to 10%, all grades) observed with treatment with Epclusa and Ribavirin for 12 weeks in patients with decompensated cirrhosis are fatigue, anemia, nausea, headache, insomnia and diarrhea.

Each Epclusa tablet is pink, diamond-shaped, film-coated, and debossed with "GSI" on one side and "7916" on the other side.

Epclusa will be available soon in the coming months in the Indian market.

Disclaimer: The medical information is taken from Gilead’s patient information. These are available online and we highly recommend you to consult them. For final judgment always consult your health care provider or physician.