Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir

Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir
Combination of
Sofosbuvir NS5B polymerase inhibitor
Velpatasvir NS5A inhibitor
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com epclusa
Pregnancy
category
  • US: B (No risk in non-human studies)
Routes of
administration
By mouth
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
Synonyms Epclusa, Sofosvel, Velpanat
PubChem CID
KEGG

Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir is a fixed dose combination medication for the treatment of hepatitis C.[1] It combines sofosbuvir and velpatasvir.[1] It is more than 90% effective for hepatitis C genotypes one through six.[1] It also works for hepatitis C in those who also have cirrhosis or HIV/AIDS.[1]

The combination is well tolerated generally.[1] Side effects may include headaches, feeling tired, itchiness, and nausea.[1]

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.[2] In the United States a course of treatment costs about 74,800 USD while in the developed world it costs about 900 USD.[1]

Medical uses

A single tablet regimen is used for adults with genotype 1–6 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.[3]

Contraindications

Combining velpatasvir/sofosbuvir with strong inducers of the liver enzymes CYP2B6, CYP2C8 or CYP3A4, or with P-glycoprotein, is contraindicated because such substances may reduce the effectiveness of the hepatitis C drug.[4]

Side effects

Common side effects (in more than 10% of people) are headache, fatigue and nausea. In studies, severe side effects were experienced in 3% of patients, and 0.2% terminated the therapy because of adverse events. These effects occurred with similar frequencies in people treated with placebo.[4]

Interactions

Pharmacokinetics

History

Beacon Pharmaceuticals, Bangladesh, introduced a generic version product under the trade name of Sofosvel. Beacon got approval from the Directorate of Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, People's Republic of Bangladesh.[5] Other Indian companies with similar licenses are expected to follow.[6]

Velpatasvir/sofosbuvir was developed by the pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences and approved by US FDA in June 2016.[7] In the European Union it was approved on 6 July 2016 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in adults.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir for the treatment of Hepatitis C" (PDF). WHO. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  2. "WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (20th List)" (PDF). World Health Organization. March 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  3. FDA Approves Epclusa, Drugs.com
  4. 1 2 Haberfeld, H, ed. (2016). Austria-Codex (in German). Vienna: Österreichischer Apothekerverlag. Epclusa 400 mg/100 mg Filmtabletten.
  5. US’ Gilead faces competition from Bangladesh’s Beacon pharma, The Economic Times
  6. http://esofosbuvir.com/sofosvel-generic-hepatitis-c-medicine-genotypes/
  7. "FDA approves Epclusa for treatment of chronic Hepatitis C virus infection". Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  8. "Epclusa". European Medicines Agency. 28 July 2016.
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