Epclusa is used to treat chronic hepatitis C in adults with genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
It is the first hepatitis C medication that can successfully treat all six genotypes.
Epclusa is a two-drug combination administered as a single daily pill containing the viral NS5A inhibitor Velpatasvir and Sofosbuvir.
The treatment duration is 12 weeks for all genotypes. No ribavirin for most patients.
It is used on its own in patients without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis and in combination with ribavirin in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
Warning: To make sure Epclusa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
• A history of hepatitis B
• Kidney disease
• Liver problems other than hepatitis
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
• If you have recently used a heart rhythm medicine called amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone).
How it works: Sofosbuvir–velpatasvir (Epclusa, Gilead) is a fixed-dose combination drug. Sofosbuvir inhibits hepatitis C virus (HCV) non structural viral protein NS5B ribonucleic acid (RNA)-dependent RNA polymerase. Velpatasvir inhibits hepatitis C non-structural protein NS5A.
Effectiveness: The cure rates are from 97% to 100% in those without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis.
Side-effects: Most people don’t experience significant side effects – but if they do the most common adverse reactions observed with treatment with Epclusa for 12 weeks are headache and fatigue.
The most common adverse reactions observed with treatment with Epclusa and ribavirin for 12 weeks in patients with decompensated cirrhosis are fatigue, anaemia, nausea, headache, insomnia, and diarrhoea.
Source: hepctrust.org
For more: Kalydeco