Simeprevir is a medicine used to treat viral infections. This medicine is used together with other medicines to treat long-term hepatitis C virus infection.
Take Simeprevir exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with food or immediately after a meal. Swallow it whole. Do not chew, crush, break, cut, or dissolve the capsule.
Try to take it at the same time each day.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your infection.
You must complete the entire course of medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is more than 12 hours since you missed the dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Simeprevir or any other similar medicines.
Do not take Simeprevir with ribavirin if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Ribavirin may cause harm to your unborn child. It is important that you do not get pregnant during the treatment. You must use proven birth control methods while taking Simeprevir with ribavirin. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take Simeprevir with certain antibiotics, herbal medicines, medicines used to treat tuberculosis, epilepsy, heart disease and fungal infection. Please see the section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- serious liver disease other than hepatitis C
- current or previous infection with hepatitis B virus
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
This medicine may cause sensitivity to light. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid direct or prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- If you ever had hepatitis B virus infection, it could become active again during or after treatment of hepatitis C virus with Simeprevir. This may cause serious liver problems. Your doctor will monitor you if you are at risk for hepatitis B virus reactivation.
- You may need to have routine blood tests (e.g. complete blood count, liver function test, creatinine). Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
- If you are pregnant, Simeprevir when taken with ribavirin may not be suitable for you. Pregnancy test may be done prior to initiation, during and 6 months after treatment.
- Regular monitoring of heart rate may be needed if you are taking this medicine with Sofosbuvir and amiodarone.
Simeprevir may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: tiredness, muscle pain, headache, nausea, diarrhoea, difficulty sleeping, and burning, redness, swelling, or irritation on your skin.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs of allergy e.g. breathlessness, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, and rashes
- signs of liver problems e.g. yellowing of the skin or eyes
- chest pain
- fainting or near fainting
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Simeprevir with the following medicines:
- certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin
- medicines to treat TB (an infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. amiodarone
- blood thinning medicine e.g. warfarin
- medicine to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole
- herbal medicines e.g. St. John’s wort, milk thistle
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Simeprevir.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Consuming large amount of alcohol is damaging to your liver.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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