If you have ever had hepatitis B, Epclusa can cause this condition to come back or get worse. You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.
Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication in your combination therapy. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.
Epclusa is sometimes used in combination with ribavirin. Ribavirin can cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby. Do not use ribavirin if you are pregnant, or if you are a man and your sexual partner is pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while using these medicines together and for at least 6 months after treatment ends.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Epclusa if you are allergic to sofosbuvir or velpatasvir.
When taking Epclusa with other medicine: To make sure all medicines are safe for you, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
To make sure Epclusa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
hepatitis B;
liver problems other than hepatitis C;
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
diabetes;
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus); or
if you use a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven) and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Epclusa is sometimes used in combination with ribavirin. Ribavirin can cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby.
If you are a woman, do not use ribavirin if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before taking ribavirin and every month during your treatment.
If you are a man, do not use ribavirin if your sexual partner is pregnant. An unborn baby could be harmed if you have sex with a pregnant woman while you are taking ribavirin.
While taking Epclusa with ribavirin, use at least 2 effective forms of birth control to prevent pregnancy, whether you are a man or a woman. Ribavirin use by either parent may cause birth defects.
Keep using 2 forms of birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose of ribavirin. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using ribavirin.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
How should I take Epclusa?
Epclusa is usually taken once per day for 12 weeks. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using this medicine.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
The oral pellets can be taken with food or directly in the mouth. Children younger than 6 years should take the oral pellets with food. The oral pellets should be swallowed whole to avoid a bitter after taste.
You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.
Use all medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with chronic hepatitis C should remain under the care of a doctor.
You should not stop using Epclusa suddenly. Stopping suddenly could make your hepatitis C harder to treat with antiviral medicine.
If you have ever had hepatitis B, using sofosbuvir and velpatasvir can cause this virus to become active or get worse. You may need frequent liver function tests while using this medicine and for several months after you stop.
Store this medicine in the original container at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
