Sofosbuvir is used together with other medicines to treat long-term hepatitis C virus infection of the liver.
Take sofosbuvir 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 or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
This medicine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
If you miss a dose and it is 18 or more hours before the next dose is due, take the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
If it is less than 18 hours before the next dose is due, 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 Sofosbuvir if you ever had an allergic reaction (breathlessness, rashes, swollen eyes) to similar antiviral medications.
Do not take this medicine with ribavirin or peginterferon if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with these medicines, 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 Sofosbuvir with ribavirin or peginterferon. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take Sofosbuvir with medicines to treat an infection known as tuberculosis and epilepsy.
Inform your doctor if you have current or previous hepatitis B virus infection of the liver.
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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 Sofosbuvir. This may cause serious liver problems. Your doctor will check 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). Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
If you are pregnant, Sofosbuvir when taken with ribavirin or peginterferon 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 amiodarone.
Sofosbuvir may cause dizziness or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, tiredness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, weight loss, hair loss, depression and muscle pain.
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells to drop. Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- chest pain
- 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 Sofosbuvir if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines to treat TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine
- St. John’s wort (herbal medicine)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- amiodarone (medicine to treat abnormal heart rhythm)
- blooding-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- oxcarbazepine (medicine for fits or seizures)
- modafinil (medicine to treat people with narcolepsy to help them stay awake)
- tipranavir (medicine for HIV infection)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Sofosbuvir.
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.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
